Ground power supplying apparatus, method for controlling ground power supplying apparatus, and nontransitory computer recording medium

ABSTRACT

A ground power supplying apparatus provided with a power transmission apparatus having a resonance circuit and transmitting power to the vehicle and a control device shifting a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to a standby state when a predetermined suspension condition stands if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is a main power transmission state or a power transmission active state and shifting a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to the power transmission active state when the suspension condition no longer stands if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is the standby state.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a ground power supplying apparatus, amethod for controlling a ground power supplying apparatus, and anontransitory computer recording medium.

BACKGROUND

Noncontact power supplying systems using transmission methods such asmagnetic field coupling (electromagnetic induction), electric fieldcoupling, magnetic field resonant coupling (magnetic field resonance),and electric field resonant coupling (electric field resonance) totransfer power from a ground power supplying apparatus provided on aground surface to a running vehicle by noncontact, have been known. Assuch a noncontact power supplying system, Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2020-127313 discloses a noncontact power supplyingsystem configured so that when a plurality of processing routinesrelating to the supply of power are performed in a predetermined orderby transfer of data with a ground power supplying apparatus andprocessing is interrupted in the middle of that, the plurality ofprocessing routines are restarted from the start if the interruptedlocation is before completion of a predetermined processing routine setin advance and the plurality of processing routines are performed fromthe start to the predetermined processing routine, then the processingis restarted from the interrupted location if the interrupted locationis after completion of the predetermined processing routine.

SUMMARY

However, if restarting power transfer after interruption of powertransfer, there is the problem that if having to perform the processingfor power transfer from the start, time is taken until power transfer isrestarted.

The present disclosure was made in consideration of this problem. It hasas its object to enable power transfer to be restarted quickly if powertransfer is interrupted.

To solve the above technical problem, the ground power supplyingapparatus for transmitting power to a vehicle by noncontact according toan aspect of the present disclosure is comprised of a power transmissionapparatus having a resonance circuit and transmitting power to thevehicle and a control device configured to shift a state of the groundpower supplying apparatus to a standby state when a predeterminedsuspension condition is satisfied if the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus is a main power transmission state or a powertransmission active state and to shift a state of the ground powersupplying apparatus to the power transmission active state when thesuspension condition is no longer satisfied if the state of the groundpower supplying apparatus is the standby state. The main powertransmission state is a state where power is supplied to the resonancecircuit and power is being supplied to the vehicle, the powertransmission active state is a state where weak power is supplied to theresonance circuit and power can be transmitted to the vehicle, and thestandby state is a state where the supply of power to the resonancecircuit is stopped and where the power transmission active state can beshifted to by supplying weak power to the resonance circuit.

Further, the method for controlling a ground power supplying apparatushaving a resonance circuit and transmitting power to a vehicle bynoncontact according to another aspect of the present disclosurecomprises shifting a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to astandby state where the supply of power to the resonance circuit isstopped and where the power transmission active state can be shifted toby supplying weak power to the resonance circuit when a predeterminedsuspension condition is satisfied if the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus is a main power transmission state where power issupplied to the resonance circuit and power is being transmitted to thevehicle or a power transmission active state where weak power issupplied to the resonance circuit and power can be transmitted to thevehicle and shifting the state of the ground power supplying apparatusto the power transmission active state when the suspension condition isno longer satisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatusis the standby state.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a nontransitory computer recording medium including a programfor making a processor of a ground power supplying apparatus having aresonance circuit and transmitting power to a vehicle by noncontactshift a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to a standby statewhere the supply of power to the resonance circuit is stopped and wherethe power transmission active state can be shifted to by supplying weakpower to the resonance circuit when a predetermined suspension conditionis satisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is amain power transmission state where power is supplied to the resonancecircuit and power is being transmitted to the vehicle or a powertransmission active state where weak power is supplied to the resonancecircuit and power can be transmitted to the vehicle and shift the stateof the ground power supplying apparatus to the power transmission activestate when the suspension condition is no longer satisfied if the stateof the ground power supplying apparatus is the standby state.

According to these aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible toquickly restart power transfer if interrupting power transfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a noncontactpower supplying system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the configuration of a controller andequipment connected to the controller.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the configuration of an ECU and equipmentconnected to the ECU.

FIG. 4 is a view showing one example of an array of magnetic fielddetectors provided at a road.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the configuration of a communicationsystem used in the noncontact power supplying system.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a hardware configuration of aserver.

FIG. 7 is an operation sequence diagram relating to a vehicle, a server,and a ground power supplying apparatus utilizing wide area wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram, similar to FIG. 7 , relating toa vehicle, a server, and a ground power supplying apparatus utilizingwide area wireless communication.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing relating tocommunication utilizing wide area wireless communication, in the server.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing relating tocommunication utilizing wide area wireless communication, in the groundpower supplying apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing transitions in the operationsand states of the vehicle and ground power supplying apparatus, when thevehicle approaches the ground power supplying apparatus and is suppliedwith power.

FIG. 12 is a view schematically showing transitions in the states andoperations of the ground power supplying apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing transitions in the states andoperations of the ground power supplying apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a view schematically showing transitions in the states andoperations of the vehicle.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a flow of work relating to performanceof power reception end processing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Below, referring to the drawings, embodiments will be explained indetail. Note that, in the following explanation, similar elements willbe assigned the same reference notations.

Overall Configuration of Noncontact Power Supplying System

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a noncontactpower supplying system 1. The noncontact power supplying system 1 has aground power supplying apparatus 2 and a vehicle 3 running on a road100, and transfers power by noncontact from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 by magnetic field resonant coupling(magnetic field resonance). In particular, in the present embodiment,the noncontact power supplying system 1 transfers power by noncontactfrom the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 while thevehicle 3 is running. Therefore, the ground power supplying apparatus 2transmits power to the vehicle 3 by noncontact while the vehicle 3 isrunning, and the vehicle 3 receives power from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 by noncontact while the vehicle 3 is running. Theground power supplying apparatus 2 has a power transmission apparatus 4configured to transmit power by noncontact, while the vehicle 3 has apower reception apparatus 5 configured to receive power from the powertransmission apparatus 4 by noncontact. As shown in FIG. 1 , the powertransmission apparatus 4 is buried in the road 100 (in the ground), forexample, at the center of the lane on which the vehicle 3 runs.

Note that, the term “while (a vehicle is) running” or “running vehicle”means the state where the vehicle 3 is positioned on the road forrunning. Therefore, the term “while (a vehicle is) running” or “runningvehicle” includes not only the state where the vehicle 3 is actuallyrunning at any speed greater than zero, but also, for example, the statewhere it is stopped on the road while, for example, waiting for atraffic light to change. On the other hand, even if the vehicle 3 ispositioned on a road, if, for example, it is parked, this is notincluded in “while (a vehicle is) running” or “running vehicle”

Configuration of Ground Power Supplying Apparatus

As shown in FIG. 1 , the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is providedwith a power source 21 and a controller 22, in addition to the powertransmission apparatus 4. The power source 21 and the controller 22 maybe buried inside the road 100, and may be arranged at a location(including ground) separate from the inside of the road 100.

The power source 21 supplies power to the power transmission apparatus4. The power source 21, for example, is a commercial alternating currentpower supply for supplying single-phase alternating current power. Notethat, the power source 21 may be another type of an alternating currentpower supply for supplying three-phase alternating current power, or maybe a direct current power supply such as a fuel cell.

The power transmission apparatus 4 transmits the power supplied from thepower source 21 to the vehicle 3. The power transmission apparatus 4 hasa power transmission side rectification circuit 41, inverter 42, andpower transmission side resonance circuit 43. In the power transmissionapparatus 4, the alternating current power supplied from the powersource 21 is rectified and converted to direct current power at thepower transmission side rectification circuit 41, this direct currentpower is converted to alternating current power at the inverter 42, andthis alternating current power is supplied to the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43.

The power transmission side rectification circuit 41 is electricallyconnected to the power source 21 and inverter 42. The power transmissionside rectification circuit 41 rectifies the alternating current powersupplied from the power source 21 to convert it to direct current power,and supplies the direct current power to the inverter 42. The powertransmission side rectification circuit 41 is, for example, an AC/DCconverter.

The inverter 42 is electrically connected to the power transmission siderectification circuit 41 and power transmission side resonance circuit43. The inverter 42 converts the direct current power supplied from thepower transmission side rectification circuit 41 to an alternatingcurrent power of a frequency higher than the alternating current powerof the power source 21 (high frequency power), and supplies the highfrequency power to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43.

The power transmission side resonance circuit 43 has a resonatorcomprised of a coil 44 and capacitor 45. The various parameters of thecoil 44 and capacitor 45 (outside diameter and inside diameter of thecoil 44, the number of turns of the coil 44, electrostatic capacity ofthe capacitor 45) are determined so that the resonance frequency of thepower transmission side resonance circuit 43 becomes a predetermined setvalue. The predetermined set value is, for example, 10 kHz to 100 GHz,preferably is the 85 kHz determined by the SAE TIR J2954 standard as thefrequency band for noncontact power transfer.

The power transmission side resonance circuit 43 is arranged at thecenter of the lane on which the vehicle 3 runs so that the center of thecoil 44 is positioned at the center of the lane. If the high frequencypower supplied from the inverter 42 is applied to the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43, the power transmission side resonance circuit43 generates an alternating magnetic field for power transmission. Notethat, if the power source 21 is a direct current power supply, the powertransmission side rectification circuit 41 may be omitted.

The controller 22 is, for example, a general-purpose computer, andperforms various control operations of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2. For example, the controller 22 is electrically connected tothe inverter 42 of the power transmission apparatus 4, and controls theinverter 42 so as to control power transmission by the powertransmission apparatus 4. Furthermore, the controller 22 controls alater explained ground side first communication device 81 and groundside second communication device 82.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the configuration of the controller 22 andequipment connected to the controller 22. The controller 22 is providedwith a communication interface 221, memory 222, and processor 223. Thecommunication interface 221, memory 222, and processor 223 are connectedto each other through signal wires.

The communication interface 221 has an interface circuit for connectingthe controller 22 to various equipment forming the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 (for example, the inverter 42, the later explainedground side sensors 23, ground side first communication device 81, andground side second communication device 82) The controller 22communicates with other equipment through the communication interface221.

The memory 222, for example, has a volatile semiconductor memory (forexample, RAM), nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, ROM), orequivalents. The memory 222 stores, for example, a computer program forperforming various processing at the processor 223, and various dataused when various processing is performed by the processor 223. Thememory 222, for example, stores a list of vehicle identificationinformation of vehicles which can be supplied with power by the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 (below, referred to as the “identificationinformation list”), and vehicle identification information of thevehicle 3 currently being supplied with power.

The processor 223 has one or more CPUs (central processing units) andtheir peripheral circuits. The processor 223 may further have aprocessing circuit such as a logic unit or arithmetic unit. Theprocessor 223 performs various processing based on the computer programstored in the memory 222.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , the ground power supplying apparatus 2 isfurther provided with ground side sensors 23. The ground side sensors 23detect states of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. In the presentembodiment, the ground side sensors 23, for example, include a powertransmission apparatus current sensor for detecting the current flowingto various equipment of the power transmission apparatus 4 (inparticular, the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, inverter42, and power transmission side rectification circuit 41), a powertransmission apparatus voltage sensor for detecting the voltage appliedto various equipment of the power transmission apparatus 4, a powertransmission apparatus temperature sensor for detecting a temperature ofvarious equipment of the power transmission apparatus 4, a foreignobject sensor for detecting a foreign object on the road in which thepower transmission apparatus 4 is buried, and a living object sensor fordetecting a living object on the road in which the power transmissionapparatus 4 is buried. The outputs of the ground side sensors 23 areinput to the controller 22.

Note that, the power transmission apparatus 4 may also be configured soas to enable power to be received from the vehicle 3. In this case, thepower transmission apparatus 4 has a device or circuit for supplying thereceived power to the power source 21, similarly to the later explainedpower reception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3. Further, in this case, thepower transmission apparatus 4 may utilize a resonator comprised theabove coil 44 and capacitor 45, in order to receive power from thevehicle 3.

Configuration of Vehicle

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 3 is provided with amotor 31, battery 32, power control unit (PCU) 33, and electroniccontrol unit (ECU) 34, in addition to the power reception apparatus 5.In the present embodiment, the vehicle 3 is an electric vehicle (EV)using the motor 31 to drive the vehicle 3. However, the vehicle 3 mayalso be a hybrid vehicle (HV) using not only the motor 31, but also aninternal combustion engine to drive the vehicle 3.

The motor 31 is, for example, an alternating current synchronous motor,and functions as an electric motor and a generator. The motor 31 isdriven using the power stored in the battery 32 as a source of power,when functioning as an electric motor. The output of the motor 31 istransmitted through a decelerator and shaft to the wheels 30. On theother hand, at the time of deceleration of the vehicle 3, the motor 31is driven by rotation of the wheels 30, and the motor 31 functions as agenerator to generate regenerated power.

The battery 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and is, for example,comprised of a lithium ion battery, nickel-hydrogen battery, or thelike. The battery 32 stores the power required for running the vehicle(for example, the drive power of the motor 31). If the power which thepower reception apparatus 5 receives from the power transmissionapparatus 4 is supplied to the battery 32, the battery 32 is charged.Further, if the regenerated power generated by the motor 31 is suppliedto the battery 32, the battery 32 is charged. If the battery 32 ischarged, the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 32 is restored. Notethat, the battery 32 may also be recharged through a charging portprovided at the vehicle 3 by an outside power source other than theground power supplying apparatus 2.

The PCU 33 is electrically connected to the battery 32 and motor 31. ThePCU 33 has an inverter, booster converter, and DC/DC converter. Theinverter converts the direct current power supplied from the battery 32to alternating current power, and supplies the alternating current powerto the motor 31. On the other hand, the inverter converts thealternating current power generated by the motor 31 (regenerated power)to direct current power, and supplies the direct current power to thebattery 32. The booster converter boosts the voltage of the battery 32in accordance with need, when the power stored in the battery 32 issupplied to the motor 31. The DC/DC converter lowers the voltage of thebattery 32 when the power stored in the battery 32 is supplied to theheadlights or other electronic equipment.

The power reception apparatus 5 receives power from the powertransmission apparatus 4, and supplies the received power to the battery32. The power reception apparatus 5 has a power reception side resonancecircuit 51, power reception side rectification circuit 54, and chargingcircuit 55.

The power reception side resonance circuit 51 is arranged at a floorpart of the vehicle 3 so that the distance from the road surface issmall. In the present embodiment, the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 is arranged at the center of the vehicle 3 in the vehiclewidth direction. The power reception side resonance circuit 51 has aconfiguration similar to the power transmission side resonance circuit43, and has a resonator comprised of a coil 52 and capacitor 53. Thevarious parameters of the coil 52 and capacitor 53 (outside diameter andinside diameter of the coil 52, the number of turns of the coil 52,electrostatic capacity of the capacitor 53, etc.) are determined so thatthe resonance frequency of the power reception side resonance circuit 51conforms to the resonance frequency of the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43. Note that, if the amount of deviation of theresonance frequency of the power reception side resonance circuit 51 andthe resonance frequency of the power transmission side resonance circuit43 is small, for example, the resonance frequency of the power receptionside resonance circuit 51 is within a range of ±20% of the resonancefrequency of the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, theresonance frequency of the power reception side resonance circuit 51does not necessarily have to conform to the resonance frequency of thepower transmission side resonance circuit 43.

As shown in FIG. 1 , when the power reception side resonance circuit 51faces the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, if analternating magnetic field is generated by the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43, vibration of the alternating magnetic field istransmitted to the power reception side resonance circuit 51 whichresonates by the same resonance frequency as the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43. As a result, an induction current flows in thepower reception side resonance circuit 51 due to electromagneticinduction, and an induced electromotive force is generated at the powerreception side resonance circuit 51 by the induction current. That is,the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 transmits power to thepower reception side resonance circuit 51, and the power reception sideresonance circuit 51 receives power from the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43.

The power reception side rectification circuit 54 is electricallyconnected to the power reception side resonance circuit 51 and chargingcircuit 55. The power reception side rectification circuit 54 rectifiesthe alternating current power supplied from the power reception sideresonance circuit 51 to convert it to direct current power, and suppliesthe direct current power to the charging circuit 55. The power receptionside rectification circuit 54 is, for example, an AC/DC converter.

The charging circuit 55 is electrically connected to the power receptionside rectification circuit 54 and the battery 32. In particular, it isconnected to the battery 32 through a relay 38. The charging circuit 55converts a voltage level of the direct current power supplied from thepower reception side rectification circuit 54 to the voltage level ofthe battery 32, and supplies the power to the battery 32. If the powertransmitted from the power transmission apparatus 4 is supplied by thepower reception apparatus 5 to the battery 32, the battery 32 ischarged. The charging circuit 55 is, for example, a DC/DC converter.

The ECU 34 performs various control operations of the vehicle 3. Forexample, the ECU 34 is electrically connected to the charging circuit 55of the power reception apparatus 5, and controls the charging circuit 55so as to control the charging of the battery 32 by the power transmittedfrom the power transmission apparatus 4. Further, the ECU 34 iselectrically connected to the PCU 33, and controls the PCU 33 so as tocontrol the transfer of power between the battery 32 and the motor 31.Furthermore, the ECU 34 controls a vehicle side first communicationdevice 71 and vehicle side second communication device 72, which will beexplained later.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the configuration of the ECU 34 andequipment connected to the ECU 34. The ECU 34 has a communicationinterface 341, memory 342, and processor 343. The communicationinterface 341, memory 342, and processor 343 are connected to each otherthrough signal wires.

The communication interface 341 has an interface circuit for connectingthe ECU 34 to an internal vehicle network based on the CAN (ControllerArea Network) or other standard. The ECU 34 communicates with otherequipment through the communication interface 341.

The memory 342, for example, has a volatile semiconductor memory (forexample, RAM) and nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, ROM).The memory 342 stores, for example, a computer program for performingvarious processing at the processor 343, and various data used whenvarious processing is performed by the processor 343.

The processor 343 has one or more CPUs (central processing units) andtheir peripheral circuits. The processor 343 may further have a logicunit or arithmetic unit or other such processing circuit. The processor343 performs various processing based on the computer program stored inthe memory 342.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , the vehicle 3 is further provided with aGNSS receiver 35, storage device 36, a plurality of vehicle side sensors37, and a relay 38. The GNSS receiver 35, storage device 36, vehicleside sensors 37, and relay 38 are electrically connected to the ECU 34.

The GNSS receiver 35 detects the current position of the vehicle 3 (forexample, the latitude and longitude of the vehicle 3), based on thepositioning information of a plurality (for example, three or more)positioning satellites. Specifically, the GNSS receiver 35 captures aplurality of positioning satellites, and receives signals emitted fromthe positioning satellites. Further, the GNSS receiver 35 calculates thedistances to the positioning satellites based on the times of emissionand times of reception of the signals, and detects the current positionof the vehicle 3 based on the distances to the positioning satellitesand the positions of the positioning satellites (orbital information).The output of the GNSS receiver 35, that is, the current position of thevehicle 3 detected by the GNSS receiver 35, is transmitted to the ECU34. The GNSS receiver 35 may include, for example, a GPS receiver.

The storage device 36 stores data. The storage device 36 is, forexample, provided with a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD),or optical recording medium. In the present embodiment, the storagedevice 36 stores map information. The map information includes, inaddition to information relating to the roads, the installation positioninformation of the ground power supplying apparatuses 2 and otherinformation. The ECU 34 acquires the map information from the storagedevice 36. Note that, the storage device 36 need not include the mapinformation. In this case, the ECU 34 may acquire the map informationfrom the outside of the vehicle 3 (for example, the later explained theserver 91) through the vehicle side first communication device 71.

The vehicle side sensors 37 detect the states of the vehicle 3. In thepresent embodiment, the vehicle side sensors 37 include, as sensors fordetecting the states of the vehicle 3, a speed sensor for detecting thespeed of the vehicle 3, a battery temperature sensor for detecting thetemperature of the battery 32, a power reception apparatus temperaturesensor for detecting the temperature of various equipment of the powerreception apparatus 5 (in particular, the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 and power reception side rectification circuit 54), a batterycurrent sensor for detecting the value of the charge current and valueof the discharge current of the battery 32, a power reception apparatuscurrent sensor for detecting the current flowing to various equipment ofthe power reception apparatus 5, and a power reception apparatus voltagesensor for detecting voltage applied to various equipment of the powerreception apparatus 5. The outputs of the vehicle side sensors 37 areinput to the ECU 34.

The relay 38 is arranged between the battery 32 and power receptionapparatus 5, and connects and disconnects the battery 32 and powerreception apparatus 5. When the relay 38 is connected, the powerreceived by the power reception apparatus 5 is supplied to the battery32. However, when the relay 38 is disconnected, current does not flowfrom the power reception apparatus 5 to the battery 32, and accordinglythe power reception apparatus 5 can no longer substantially receivepower.

Note that, the power reception apparatus 5 may also be configured so asto transmit power to the ground power supplying apparatus 2. In thiscase, the power reception apparatus 5 is configured to transmit thepower of the battery 32 to the ground power supplying apparatus 2,similarly to the power transmission apparatus 4 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2. Further, in this case, the power receptionapparatus 5 may also utilize the above-mentioned resonator comprised ofthe coil 52 and capacitor 53 to transmit power to the ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

Configuration of Lateral Deviation Detection Device

In order to efficiently perform noncontact power transfer, thepositional deviation between the power transmission apparatus 4 of theground power supplying apparatus 2 and the power reception apparatus 5of the vehicle 3 must be small. For this reason, in the presentembodiment, the noncontact power supplying system 1 has a lateraldeviation detection device for detecting the positional deviationbetween the power transmission apparatus 4 and the power receptionapparatus 5 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of advanceof the vehicle 3 (below, referred to as the “lateral deviation”). Inparticular, in the present embodiment, the lateral deviation detectiondevice is provided with an alternating magnetic field generation circuit61 and alternating current power generation circuit 64 provided at thevehicle 3, and magnetic field detectors 66 provided at the ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

The alternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 generates analternating magnetic field for detecting a relative positionalrelationship between the power transmission apparatus 4 (in particular,the power transmission side resonance circuit 43) and the powerreception apparatus 5 (in particular, the power reception side resonancecircuit 51) (below, referred to as the “alternating magnetic field fordetecting lateral deviation”). The alternating magnetic field generationcircuit 61 is arranged at a floor part of the vehicle 3 so that thedistance from the road surface is small. In the present embodiment, thealternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 is arranged at thecenter of the vehicle 3 in the vehicle width direction, and is arrangedfurther to the front than the power reception side resonance circuit 51in the front-back direction of the vehicle 3. Note that, the alternatingmagnetic field generation circuit 61 may also be arranged at the sameposition as the power reception side resonance circuit 51 or further tothe back than the power reception side resonance circuit 51, in thefront-back direction of the vehicle 3.

The alternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 has a configurationsimilar to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, and has aresonator comprised of a coil 62 and capacitor 63. The variousparameters of the coil 62 and capacitor 63 (outside diameter and insidediameter of coil 62, the number of turns of coil 62, electrostaticcapacity of capacitor 63, etc.) are determined so that the resonancefrequency of the alternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 is apredetermined set value. The predetermined set value is set to a valuedifferent from the resonance frequency of the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43, that is, the resonance frequency of magnetic fieldresonant coupling. Note that, the alternating magnetic field generationcircuit 61 does not have to generate a magnetic field by resonance, andaccordingly does not have to have the capacitor 63.

The alternating current power generation circuit 64 is electricallyconnected to the battery 32 and alternating magnetic field generationcircuit 61. The alternating current power generation circuit 64generates alternating current power, and supplies the alternatingcurrent power to the alternating magnetic field generation circuit 61.For example, the alternating current power generation circuit 64 has anoscillation circuit and amplifier. The oscillation circuit is, forexample, configured from an inverter, and converts the direct currentpower supplied from the battery 32 to a predetermined frequencyalternating current power. The amplifier amplifies the output power ofthe oscillation circuit (alternating current power).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the alternating current power generation circuit 64is electrically connected to the ECU 34, and the ECU 34 controls thealternating current power generation circuit 64. The alternating currentpower generation circuit 64 converts the direct current power from thebattery 32 to alternating current power based on a command from the ECU34, and supplies the alternating current power to the alternatingmagnetic field generation circuit 61.

The magnetic field detectors 66 detect a surrounding magnetic field. Themagnetic field detectors 66 are, for example, magneto impedance (MI)sensors. The drive powers of the magnetic field detectors 66 are, forexample, supplied from the power source 21 through the drive circuit tothe magnetic field detectors 66. Note that, magnetic field detectors 66may also be Hall sensors, magneto resistive (MR) sensors, etc.

FIG. 4 is a view showing one example of an array of magnetic fielddetectors 66 provided at the road 100. As shown in FIG. 4 , the magneticfield detectors 66 are arranged further to the front than the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the power transmissionapparatus 4 in the direction of advance of the vehicle 3, at the road atwhich the power transmission apparatus 4 is provided. Further, aplurality are arranged aligned in a direction perpendicular to thedirection of advance of the vehicle 3. In particular, in the presentembodiment, a plurality of magnetic field detectors 66 are arrangedseparate from each other in the direction perpendicular to the directionof advance of the vehicle 3, for example, at equal intervals in thisdirection. Further, the magnetic field detectors 66 are arranged in theground (below the road surface) or on the road surface. If analternating magnetic field for lateral deviation detection is generatedfrom the vehicle 3 in the surroundings of the magnetic field detectors66, the magnetic field detectors 66 detect the alternating magneticfield for position deviation detection.

The magnetic field detectors 66 are electrically connected to thecontroller 22, and the outputs of magnetic field detectors 66 aretransmitted to the controller 22. Therefore, in the present embodiment,the controller 22 receives as input the outputs from the magnetic fielddetectors 66. Based on the outputs, the controller 22 detects thepresence of any lateral deviation between the power reception sideresonance circuit 51 and power transmission side resonance circuit 43,that is, the presence of any lateral deviation between the powertransmission apparatus 4 and power reception apparatus 5.

In the thus configured lateral deviation detection device, when thevehicle 3 passes over the ground power supplying apparatus 2, thelateral deviation between the power reception side resonance circuit 51and power transmission side resonance circuit 43 in the directionperpendicular to the direction of advance of the vehicle 3 is detectedin accordance with the strength of the magnetic field detected by theplurality of aligned magnetic field detectors 66. When the lateraldeviation between the power reception side resonance circuit 51 andpower transmission side resonance circuit 43 is small, that is, when thevehicle 3 is running near the center of the lane, the strength of themagnetic field detected by the magnetic field detector 66 arranged atthe center of the lane becomes the strongest. On the other hand, if thelateral deviation between the power reception side resonance circuit 51and power transmission side resonance circuit 43 is large, that is, ifthe vehicle 3 is running off from the center of the lane, the strengthof the magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detector 66 arrangedaway from the center of the lane becomes strongest. The lateraldeviation detection device can, in this way, detect the presence of anylateral deviation between the power reception side resonance circuit 51and power transmission side resonance circuit 43, that is, the presenceof any lateral deviation between the power transmission apparatus 4 andpower reception apparatus 5.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 3 is provided with thealternating magnetic field generation circuit 61, and the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is provided with the magnetic field detectors 66.However, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 may be provided with thealternating magnetic field generation circuit 61, and the vehicle 3 maybe provided with a magnetic field detector. In this case, the ECU 34 ofthe vehicle 3 detects the presence of any lateral deviation between thepower reception side resonance circuit 51 and power transmission sideresonance circuit 43, based on the output of the magnetic field detectorprovided at the vehicle 3.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lateral deviation detectiondevice uses the magnetic fields to detect the presence of any lateraldeviation. However, the lateral deviation detection device may also usesomething other than magnetic fields to detect lateral deviation. Forexample, it may be a sonar device using ultrasonic waves. Further, inthe present embodiment, the lateral deviation detection device detectsthe presence of any lateral deviation, but it may also detect the amountof lateral deviation of the vehicle 3 from the center of the lane. Inthis case, the lateral deviation detection device judges that lateraldeviation has occurred if the amount of lateral deviation detected bythe lateral deviation detection device is greater than or equal to apredetermined reference value.

Configuration of Communication System

In the noncontact power supplying system 1 such as shown in FIG. 1 , inorder to transfer power by noncontact from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the vehicle 3, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 hasto identify the vehicle 3 running over the power transmission apparatus4, and needs the demanded supplied power and other information of thevehicle 3. For this reason, in order to transfer power by noncontact, itis necessary to transmit various vehicle information including vehicleidentification information from the vehicle 3 to the ground powersupplying apparatus 2. Further, the ground power supplying apparatus 2has to receive the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 3.

The ground power supplying apparatus 2 has to receive vehicleidentification information from only the vehicle 3 running near theground power supplying apparatus 2, in order to identify the vehicle 3running over the power transmission apparatus 4. On the other hand, ifthe speed of the vehicle 3 becomes faster, it is liable to becomeimpossible to receive all of the vehicle information, including thedemanded supplied power, from the vehicle 3 while the vehicle 3 isrunning near the ground power supplying apparatus 2.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle 3 is far awayfrom the installation position of the ground power supplying apparatus 2by a certain extent, the vehicle 3 transmits vehicle information tied tothe vehicle identification information by wide area wirelesscommunication from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supplyingapparatus. Further, when the vehicle 3 approaches the installationposition of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 or the vehicle 3reaches the power transmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2, the vehicle 3 transmits the vehicle identificationinformation by short range wireless communication from the vehicle 3 tothe ground power supplying apparatus 2. That is, in the presentembodiment, the vehicle information is transmitted by wide area wirelesscommunication from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supplying apparatus2 in advance, then the vehicle identification information is transmittedby short range wireless communication from the vehicle 3 to the groundpower supplying apparatus 2.

In this regard, the vehicle identification information is informationfor identifying the vehicle 3, for example, is the vehicle ID. Thisvehicle identification information is stored in the memory 342 of theECU 34 of the vehicle 3 in advance.

Further, the vehicle information is information of the vehicle 3relating to power transfer, and includes the vehicle identificationinformation. The vehicle information includes, for example, power (orelectrical energy) demanded to be received from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, that is, the vehicle demand power (or the vehicledemand electrical energy). The vehicle demand power is calculated in theECU 34 of the vehicle 3. Further, the vehicle information may alsoinclude information relating to the states of the vehicle, such as thestates of the power reception apparatus 5 (connection state between thebattery 32 and power reception apparatus 5), the state of charge SOC ofthe battery 32, the temperature of the battery 32, and the allowablecharged power Win. In this case, the state of charge SOC of the battery32 is calculated at the ECU 34 based on the value of the charge currentand the value of the discharge current of the battery 32 detected by avehicle side sensor 37 (battery current sensor). Further, thetemperature of the battery 32 is detected by a vehicle side sensor 37(battery temperature sensor). Further, the allowable charged power Winshows the maximum value of the charged power for not causingprecipitation of metal lithium on the negative electrode surface of alithium ion battery. This allowable charged power Win is calculated atthe ECU 34 based on the charging history of the battery 32, the state ofcharge SOC of the battery 32, and the temperature of the battery 32.

In addition, the vehicle information includes the current positioninformation of the vehicle 3. The current position information of thevehicle 3 is calculated at the ECU 34, based on the output of the GNSSreceiver 35. Furthermore, the vehicle information may also includeinformation relating to the power reception apparatus 5, such as thevarious parameters of the coil 44 and capacitor 45 of the powerreception apparatus 5 (the outside diameter and the inside diameter ofthe coil 44, the number of turns of the coil 44, the electrostaticcapacity of the capacitor 45, etc.), the height of the coil 44 from theground surface, and the resonance frequency of the power reception sideresonance circuit 51. Such vehicle information is stored in advance inthe memory 342 of the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3. Furthermore, the vehicleinformation may include the user information required when theutilization fee is charged, such as, for example, authenticationinformation identifying the settlement account of the user. Such vehicleinformation, for example, is registered in advance by the user using theinput device of the vehicle 3, or is registered in advance by insertionof a card having the authentication information in a card reading deviceprovided at the vehicle 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the configuration of a communicationsystem used in the noncontact power supplying system 1. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5 , the vehicle 3 has a vehicle side first communicationdevice 71 for performing wide area wireless communication and a vehicleside second communication device 72 for performing short range wirelesscommunication. These vehicle side first communication device 71 andvehicle side second communication device 72 are connected to the ECU 34through an internal vehicle network. On the other hand, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5 , the ground power supplying apparatus 2 has a ground sidefirst communication device 81 for performing wide area wirelesscommunication and a ground side second communication device 82 forperforming short range wireless communication. These ground side firstcommunication device 81 and ground side second communication device 82are electrically connected to the controller 22 by cables. Inparticular, in the present embodiment, the vehicle side firstcommunication device 71 and the ground side first communication device81 utilize wide area wireless communication to directly or indirectlycommunicate in one direction or two directions. Further, the vehicleside second communication device 72 and the ground side secondcommunication device 82 utilize short range wireless communication todirectly communicate in one direction or two directions.

Wide area wireless communication is communication with a longercommunication distance compared with short range wireless communication,specifically for example communication with a communication distance of10 meters to 10 kilometers. As wide area wireless communication, variouswireless communication schemes with long communication distances can beused. For example, the wide area wireless communication includescommunication based on the 3GPP, the IEEE formulated 4G, LTE, 5G, WiMAX,or any other communication standard. As explained above, in the presentembodiment, wide area wireless communication is utilized to transmitvehicle information tied with vehicle identification information fromthe vehicle 3 to the ground power supplying apparatus 2.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle side first communication device71 of the vehicle 3 and the ground side first communication device 81 ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 communicate through the server91. Specifically, the server 91 is connected to a plurality of wirelessbase stations 93 through a communication network 92 comprised of opticalcommunication circuits. The vehicle side first communication device 71and the ground side first communication device 81 communicate with thewireless base stations 93 using wide area wireless communication.Therefore, the vehicle side first communication device 71 of the vehicle3 and the ground side first communication device 81 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 communicate using wide area wirelesscommunication.

Note that, the ground side first communication device 81 may also beconnected to the communication network 92 by cable. Therefore, theground side first communication device 81 may be connected to the server91 not wirelessly, but by wire. Further, the vehicle side firstcommunication device 71 may also wirelessly communicate with the groundside first communication device 81 directly or through the communicationnetwork without going through the server 91. Therefore, the server 91communicates with the vehicle 3 by wide area wireless communication, andcommunicates with the ground power supplying apparatus 2 wirelessly orby cable.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the hardware configuration of theserver 91. The server 91, as shown in FIG. 6 , is provided with anexternal communication module 911, storage device 912, and processor913. Further, the server 91 may have input devices such as a keyboardand mouse, and an output device such as a display.

The external communication module 911 communicates with equipmentoutside the server 91 (ground power supplying apparatuses 2, vehicles 3,etc.) The external communication module 911 is provided with aninterface circuit for connecting the server 91 with the communicationnetwork 92. The external communication module 911 is configured to beable to communicate through the communication network 92 and wirelessbase stations 93 with each of a plurality of vehicles 3 and ground powersupplying apparatuses 2.

The storage device 912 has a volatile semiconductor memory (for example,RAM), nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, ROM), hard diskdrive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or optical recording medium. Thestorage device 912 stores a computer program for the processor 913 toperform various processing, and various data used when variousprocessing is performed by the processor 913. Further, in the presentembodiment, the storage device 912 stores map information. The mapinformation includes, in addition to information relating to the roads,installation position information of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2 and other information.

The processor 913 has one or more CPUs and their peripheral circuits.The processor 913 may further have a GPU or logic unit or arithmeticunit or other such processing circuit. The processor 913 performsvarious processing based on the computer program stored in the storagedevice 912 of the server 91.

Short range wireless communication indicates communication with ashorter communication distance compared with wide area wirelesscommunication, and specifically, for example, indicates communicationwith a communication distance of less than 10 meters. As short rangewireless communication, various short range wireless communicationschemes with short communication distances can be used. For example, theshort range wireless communication includes communication based on anycommunication standard formulated by the IEEE, ISO, IEC, etc. (forexample, Bluetooth® and ZigBee®). Further, as the art for performingshort range wireless communication, for example, RFID (Radio FrequencyIdentification), DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) can be used.As explained above, in the present embodiment, the vehicleidentification information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to theground power supplying apparatus 2, by using short range wirelesscommunication.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle side second communication device72 of the vehicle 3 and the ground side second communication device 82of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 directly communicate by shortrange wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the vehicleside second communication device 72 transmits a signal including vehicleidentification information, and the ground side second communicationdevice 82 receives the signal including vehicle identificationinformation.

The vehicle side second communication device 72 has an antenna forgenerating an electric wave or magnetic field, and a transmissioncircuit for supplying the antenna with electric power or current. Thetransmission circuit has an oscillation circuit, modulation circuit, andamplification circuit. The transmission circuit modulates a carrier wavegenerated at the oscillation circuit by the modulation circuit, inaccordance with the vehicle identification information, and supplies thealternating current (alternating current power) generated by amplifyingthe modulated carrier wave by the amplification circuit, to the antenna.As a result, at the antenna, an electric wave or magnetic field isgenerated.

The ground side second communication device 82 has an antenna forreceiving an electric wave or magnetic field, and a reception circuitfor retrieving information from the electric wave or magnetic fieldreceived by the antenna. The reception circuit has an amplificationcircuit and demodulation circuit. The reception circuit amplifies theweak current generated by the electric wave or magnetic field receivedby the antenna by the amplification circuit, and demodulates theamplified signal by the demodulation circuit to thereby retrieve theinformation which was included in the signal (here, the vehicleidentification information).

Note that, the communication between the vehicle side secondcommunication device 72 and the ground side second communication device82 may be performed by an electric wave, or may be performed by amagnetic field (that is, electromagnetic induction). In particular, inthe case where the frequency of the carrier wave is low (for example, 50Hz to 50 kHz), communication is performed by a magnetic field. In thiscase, a coil can be used as the antenna.

Further, the present embodiment is configured so that the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72 transmits a signal, and the ground sidesecond communication device 82 receives the signal. However, the vehicleside second communication device 72 may also have a reception circuit soas to be able to not only transmit, but also receive a signal. Further,the ground side second communication device 82 may also have atransmission circuit so as to be able to not only receive, but also senda signal.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle side secondcommunication device 72 and the ground side second communication device82 are provided at the vehicle 3 and ground power supplying apparatus 2as devices separate from the lateral deviation detection device.However, the alternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 of thelateral deviation detection device may be used as the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72, and a magnetic field detector 66 of thelateral deviation detection device may be used as the ground side secondcommunication device 82. In this case, in the alternating magnetic fieldgeneration circuit 61, an alternating magnetic field is generated by thealternating current modulated in accordance with the vehicleidentification information. In the magnetic field detector 66, thevehicle identification information is retrieved by demodulating thealternating current generated by the alternating magnetic field detectedby the alternating magnetic field. Therefore, in this case, lateraldeviation is detected based on the strength of the magnetic fielddetected by the magnetic field detector 66, and vehicle identificationinformation is retrieved from the signal included in the magnetic fielddetected by the magnetic field detector 66.

General Flow of Power Supply

Next, the general flow of control when power is transferred bynoncontact from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3in the noncontact power supplying system 1 of the present embodiment,will be explained.

When power is transferred by noncontact from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the vehicle 3, first, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 makesthe vehicle side first communication device 71 transmit vehicleinformation tied to the vehicle identification information to the groundside first communication device 81 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2. If the vehicle side first communication device 71 transmitsvehicle information tied to the vehicle identification information, theground side first communication device 81 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 receives that vehicle information through wide area wirelesscommunication. In particular, in the present embodiment, the ground sidefirst communication device 81 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2receives vehicle information of the vehicle 3 positioned within apredetermined nearby region in the surroundings of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

As explained above, the memory 222 of the controller 22 of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 stores an identification information list ofvehicle identification information of vehicles 3 which can be suppliedwith power by the ground power supplying apparatus. If the ground sidefirst communication device 81 receives vehicle information tied withvehicle identification information from a vehicle 3, the controller 22of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 registers the vehicleinformation tied with vehicle identification information in theidentification information list. In particular, in the presentembodiment, the ground side first communication device 81 receivesvehicle information of a vehicle 3 positioned in the nearby region,therefore the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3positioned within the nearby region is registered in the identificationinformation list.

If the vehicle identification information of even one vehicle 3 isregistered in the identification information list, the controller 22 ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 makes the ground side secondcommunication device 82 actuate so as to be able to communicate with thevehicle side second communication device 72, that is, so as to be ableto receive vehicle identification information from the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72 (the later explained, “reception standbystate”). If the ground side second communication device 82 is actuatedin this way, when a vehicle 3 emitting a signal including vehicleidentification information from the vehicle side second communicationdevice 72 approaches, the ground side second communication device 82 canreceive the signal including the vehicle identification informationwhich the vehicle side second communication device 72 emits.

Further, when the vehicle identification information is registered inthe identification information list, the controller 22 of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 makes the ground side first communicationdevice 81 send a notification of the vehicle identification informationbeing registered in the identification information list, to the vehicle3 identified by this vehicle identification information. Note that, ifas explained above, the vehicle identification information is registeredin the identification information list, the ground side secondcommunication device 82 is actuated. Therefore, the notification ofvehicle identification information being registered in theidentification information list can be said to be a notification showingthat the ground side second communication device 82 will be actuated oris being actuated so as to enable the ground power supplying apparatus 2to receive the vehicle identification information by using short rangewireless communication.

If a notification of vehicle identification information being registeredin the identification information list is received by the vehicle sidefirst communication device 71 from the ground side first communicationdevice 81 through wide area wireless communication, the ECU 34 of thevehicle 3 supplies power to the vehicle side second communication device72 to actuate it so as to enable a signal including vehicleidentification information to be emitted to the ground side secondcommunication device 82 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2, whenthe vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supplying apparatus 2, and, inaddition, supplies power to the power reception apparatus 5 to actuateit so as to enable power to be received from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 while the vehicle 3 is running over the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 (the later explained, “power receptionactive/signal emission state”).

If the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supplying apparatus 2 in astate where the vehicle side second communication device 72 is actuatedand emits a signal including vehicle identification information and theground side second communication device 82 is actuated so as to be ableto communicate with the vehicle side second communication device 72, theground side second communication device 82 receives the signal includingvehicle identification information emitted from the vehicle side secondcommunication device 72 of the vehicle 3.

If the ground side second communication device 82 receives vehicleidentification information, the controller 22 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 compares the received vehicle identificationinformation against the identification information list. Further, whenthe received vehicle identification information has been registered inthe identification information list, power is supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 to enable power to be transmittedto the vehicle 3 while the vehicle 3 is running over the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 (the later explained, “power transmission activestate”). If the vehicle 3 moves in this way in a state where the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is supplied with power and in a state where the powerreception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3 is actuated, when the powerreception side resonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 is positioned overthe power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, power is supplied from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the vehicle 3. If, after that, the vehicle 3 moves andthe power reception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3 moves away from thepower transmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus2, the supply of power is ended.

As explained above, in the present embodiment, when receiving power fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3makes the vehicle side first communication device 71 transmit thevehicle information tied with the vehicle identification information tothe ground side first communication device 81 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2. In addition, after the vehicle side firstcommunication device 71 transmits the vehicle information, the ECU 34makes the vehicle side second communication device 72 transmit thevehicle identification information to the ground side secondcommunication device 82 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. As aresult, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 has to receive onlyvehicle identification information through short range wirelesscommunication while the vehicle 3 is running near the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, and no longer has to receive other vehicleinformation through short range wireless communication. For this reason,even if the speed of the vehicle 3 is somewhat fast, it is possible totransmit the required information to the ground power supplyingapparatus 2.

Communication Utilizing Wide Area Wireless Communication

Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 10 , communication among the vehicle 3,server 91, and ground power supplying apparatus 2 utilizing wide areawireless communication and the operation of the vehicle 3, server 91,and ground power supplying apparatus 2 relating to this communicationwill be explained. FIG. 7 is an operation sequence diagram relating tocommunication among the vehicle 3, server 91, and ground power supplyingapparatus 2 utilizing wide area wireless communication.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 acquires the vehicleinformation, and makes the vehicle side first communication device 71transmit the acquired vehicle information to the server 91 through widearea wireless communication (step S11). As explained above, the vehicleinformation includes the vehicle identification information, variousparameters of the power reception apparatus 5, current positioninformation of the vehicle 3, the vehicle demand power, and otherinformation of the vehicle 3 relating to power transfer. The ECU 34acquires the vehicle identification information and various parametersof the power reception apparatus 5 from the memory 342, and acquires thecurrent position information of the vehicle 3 from the GNSS receiver 35.Further, the ECU 34 calculates the vehicle demand power based on thevarious states of the vehicle 3. Specifically, the ECU 34 sets thevehicle demand power smaller as the state of charge SOC of the battery32 is higher, and sets the vehicle demand power smaller as thetemperature of the battery 32 is higher.

Further, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 makes the vehicle side firstcommunication device 71 transmit the vehicle information everypredetermined time interval. This time interval is always constant.Alternatively, this time interval may change in accordance with thesituation. In this case, specifically, this time interval is, forexample, set to become shorter as the distance from the current positionof the vehicle 3 acquired from the GNSS receiver 35 to the installationposition of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 stored in the storagedevice 36 becomes shorter.

If receiving vehicle information from a plurality of vehicles 3 able tocommunicate with the server 91, the server 91 identifies the vehicleidentification information of the vehicles 3 positioned within thenearby regions of the ground power supplying apparatuses 2, based on thecurrent position information of the vehicles 3 included in the vehicleinformation (step S12). Specifically, the server 91 identifies thevehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 positioned atpredetermined nearby regions at the surroundings of the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2, based on the current position information ofthe vehicles 3 included in the vehicle information received from thevehicles 3 and the installation position information of the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2 stored in the storage device 912 of the server91.

The above “nearby region” is, for example, set as a region within apredetermined range (for example, 500 m) from an intended ground powersupplying apparatus 2. Alternatively, the above “nearby region” may beset as a region within a predetermined first distance from an intendedground power supplying apparatus 2 for the lane on which the vehicle 3heading toward the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is running, andmay be set within a predetermined second distance shorter than the firstdistance from the intended ground power supplying apparatus 2 for thelane on which the vehicle 3 heading from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is running.

Further, the above “nearby region” may be a region larger as the speedof the vehicle 3 is faster. Specifically, for example, if a certainregion is set as a “predetermined region” for a vehicle 3 with a speedof less than or equal to a predetermined reference speed, a regionincluding the above certain region and larger than the above certainregion is set as a “nearby region” for a vehicle with a speed fasterthan the predetermined reference speed. In this case, the faster thespeed of the vehicle 3 becomes, the longer the distance from the currentposition of the vehicle 3 to the installation position of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 when vehicle information is transmitted bythe vehicle side first communication device 71 through the server 91 tothe ground power supplying apparatus 2.

The server 91 identifies the vehicle identification information of thevehicles 3 positioned within the nearby regions of the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2, every predetermined time interval. This timeinterval is preferably the same extent as the shortest time interval atwhich the ECUs 34 of the vehicles 3 transmit vehicle information to theserver 91.

If identifying the vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3positioned within the nearby regions of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, the server 91 transmits the vehicle information of thevehicles 3 tied to the identified vehicle identification information tothe ground power supplying apparatuses 2 through the communicationnetwork 92 (step S13). Therefore, vehicle information of the vehicles 3positioned within the nearby regions at the surroundings of the groundpower supplying apparatuses 2 is transmitted to the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2 from the server 91. At this time, thetransmitted vehicle information includes, in addition to the vehicleidentification information, the information required for supply of powerto the vehicles 3 at the ground power supplying apparatuses 2.

If the ground side first communication device 81 of a ground powersupplying apparatus 2 receives vehicle information from the server 91,the controller 22 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 registersand erases vehicle identification information on the identificationinformation list, based on the vehicle identification information tiedto the received vehicle information (step S14). Specifically, in thepresent embodiment, the controller 22 registers and erases vehicleidentification information on the identification information list sothat the vehicle identification information tied to the received vehicleinformation is registered in the identification information list withoutexaggeration and without omission.

If the controller 22 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 registersand erases the vehicle identification information on the identificationinformation list, it makes the ground side first communication device 81transmit the vehicle identification information registered at theidentification information list to the server 91 through thecommunication network 92 (step S15). The controller 22 transmits thevehicle identification information to the server 91 every predeterminedtime interval. At this time, the controller 22 transmits all of thevehicle identification information registered in the identificationinformation list. Note that, the controller 22 may also transmit onlyvehicle identification information newly registered at theidentification information list and vehicle identification informationerased from the identification information list. In this case, thecontroller 22 may also transmit the vehicle identification informationto the server 91 not every predetermined time interval, but every timewhen the vehicle identification information described at theidentification information list is changed.

If receiving vehicle identification information registered at theidentification information list from a ground power supplying apparatus2, the server 91 transmits, to the vehicle 3 corresponding to thevehicle identification information registered at the identificationinformation list, a notification to the effect of vehicle identificationinformation being registered at the identification information list(below, referred to as a “list registration notification”) (step S16).In the present embodiment, a list registration notification istransmitted every certain time interval. The list registrationnotification may include the identification information or installationposition information of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 of whichvehicle identification information is registered on the identificationinformation list. As a result, when vehicle identification informationof the vehicle 3 is registered on the identification information list ofany ground power supplying apparatus 2, a list registration notificationis transmitted to that vehicle 3. On the other hand, when vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 is not registered on theidentification information list of any ground power supplying apparatus2, list registration notification is not transmitted to that vehicle 3.For this reason, each vehicle 3 can constantly grasp whether its ownvehicle identification information has been registered in any groundpower supplying apparatus 2. Note that, when vehicle receives from theserver 91 only newly registered or erased vehicle identificationinformation, the server transmits a notification to the effect thatvehicle identification information has been registered at or erased fromthe identification information list, to the vehicle 3 corresponding tothat vehicle identification information.

In this regard, in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7 ,registration/erasure of vehicle identification information on theidentification information list of a ground power supplying apparatus 2is determined, based on only whether a vehicle 3 is positioned at anearby region of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. Therefore,basically, when the vehicle 3 departs outside of the nearby region ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2, the vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 is erased from that identificationinformation list of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. However,vehicle identification information may also be registered or erased onthe identification information list of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2, based on other factors. Specifically, for example, if powerfinishes being supplied to a vehicle 3 at a certain ground powersupplying apparatus 2, that vehicle identification information of thevehicle 3 may be erased from the identification information list of thatground power supplying apparatus 2. Further, if erasure of vehicleidentification information of a vehicle 3 from the identificationinformation list of a specific ground power supplying apparatus 2 hasbeen requested from the vehicle 3, the vehicle identificationinformation of that vehicle 3 may be erased from the identificationinformation list of that ground power supplying apparatus 2.

FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram, similar to FIG. 7 , relating tocommunication among a vehicle 3, server 91, and ground power supplyingapparatus 2 utilizing wide area wireless communication. In particular,FIG. 8 shows the operation after power has finished being supplied fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3.

If power finishes being received by the vehicle 3 from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 (step S21), the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 makes thevehicle side first communication device 71 transmit power reception endinformation to the server 91 (step S22). The power reception endinformation includes information relating to power reception from theground power supplying apparatus 2. Specifically, the power receptionend information includes, for example, vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3, power received from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, power reception efficiency, and result ofdetection of abnormalities relating to power reception of the vehicle 3during power reception and before and after power reception, etc.Further, the power reception end information may additionally includethe power reception period (for example, start time and end time),electrical energy received from the ground power supplying apparatus 2,etc. The values of various parameters included in the power receptionend information are calculated at the ECU 34, based on the outputs ofthe vehicle side sensors 37 or the like during power reception from theground power supplying apparatus 2.

Further, if power finishes being transmitted from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 (step S23), the controller 22 ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 makes the ground side firstcommunication device 81 transmit the power transmission end informationto the server 91 (step S24). The power transmission end informationincludes information relating to power transmission to the vehicle 3.Specifically, the power transmission end information, for example,includes identification information of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2, vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3,transmitted power to the vehicle 3, power transmission efficiency, andresults of detection of abnormalities relating to power transmission tothe vehicle 3 during power transmission and before and after powertransmission, etc. Further, the power transmission end information mayadditionally include the power transmission period (for example, starttime and end time), electrical energy transmitted to the vehicle 3, etc.The values of various parameters included in the power transmission endinformation are calculated by the controller 22, based on the outputs ofthe ground side sensors 23 or the like during power transmission to thevehicle 3.

If receiving power reception end information and power transmission endinformation for the same vehicle 3 for the same period respectively fromthe vehicle 3 and ground power supplying apparatus 2, the server 91performs power supply end processing for the corresponding power supplyfrom the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 (step S25).In the power supply end processing, for example, the electrical energysupplied from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 iscalculated based on the power reception end information and the powertransmission end information, charging processing to the user of thevehicle 3 is performed based on the calculated electrical energysupplied, abnormalities of the power transmission apparatus 4 of theground power supplying apparatus 2 and the power reception apparatus 5of the vehicle 3 are diagnosed. The electrical energy supplied from theground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 is, for example,calculated based on changes along with time in the power received fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 and power transmitted to thevehicle 3. Further, in the charging processing to the user of thevehicle 3, for example, a fee corresponding to the electrical energysupplied from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 ischanged to the settlement account of the user. Further, in diagnosis ofthe power transmission apparatus 4 and power reception apparatus 5, forexample, it is diagnosed that there is an abnormality in the powertransmission apparatus 4 or power reception apparatus 5 if there is alarge difference between the received power included in the powerreception end information and the transmitted power included in thepower transmission end information.

Note that, power supply end processing is performed each time powerfinishes being supplied to a vehicle 3 at one ground power supplyingapparatus 2, therefore each time a power reception apparatus 5 of avehicle 3 passes over one power transmission apparatus 4. For thisreason, in the power supply end processing, the electrical energysupplied or the like is calculated for supply of power to a vehicle 3 inone ground power supplying apparatus 2. However, power supply endprocessing may also be performed each time power finishes being suppliedto a vehicle 3 in a plurality of ground power supplying apparatuses 2,therefore each time a power reception apparatus 5 of a vehicle 3 passesover a plurality of power transmission apparatuses 4. In this case, inpower supply end processing, the total electrical energy supplied to avehicle 3 or the like is calculated at the plurality of ground powersupplying apparatuses 2.

Regardless of the power supply end processing, similarly to step S11 ofFIG. 7 . vehicle information is transmitted from the vehicles 3 to theserver 91 (step S26) and, similarly to step S12 of FIG. 7 , the server91 identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3positioned within the nearby regions of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, based on the vehicle information (step S27). Further, ifpower supply end processing to a certain vehicle 3 has already beenperformed at a certain ground power supplying apparatus 2, the server 91erases the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 for whichpower supply end processing has already been performed, from the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 in the nearby region of thisground power supplying apparatus 2 identified at step S27 (step S28).

After that, the server 91 transmits the vehicle information tied to thevehicle identification information not erased at step S28 in the vehicleidentification information of the vehicles 3 identified as beingpositioned within the nearby regions of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, to the ground power supplying apparatuses 2 (step S29).If the vehicle information is transmitted to the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, the controllers 22 of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, similarly to step S14 of FIG. 7 , register or erasevehicle identification information to or from the identificationinformation lists (step S30). After that, similarly to step S15 of FIG.7 , vehicle identification information registered at the identificationinformation lists is transmitted (step S31), and, similarly to step S16of FIG. 7 , list registration notifications are transmitted (step S32).

Further, if the server 91 receives from a vehicle 3 a request forerasure of vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 from theidentification information list of a specific ground power supplyingapparatus 2 (for example, “identification information erasure request”or the like, which is later explained referring to FIG. 14 ), similarlyto step S28, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 maybe erased from the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3in the nearby region of that ground power supplying apparatus 2.

As a result, if the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed, in theidentification information list, vehicle identification information ofthe vehicles 3 positioned within the nearby regions of the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2 and not finished being supplied with power fromthe ground power supplying apparatuses 2 and not requesting erasure ofidentification information is registered. Further, a vehicle 3 receiveslist registration notification when the vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 is registered in the identificationinformation list of any ground power supplying apparatus 2.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing relating tocommunication utilizing wide area wireless communication, at the server91. The processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed at the processor 913 ofthe server 91 every constant time interval.

First, the processor 913 of the server 91 acquires various informationreceived from vehicles 3 and ground power supplying apparatuses 2 (stepS41). The various information includes vehicle information and powerreception end information tied to the vehicle identificationinformation, received from the vehicles 3 and stored in the storagedevice 912 of the server 91. Further, the various information includespower transmission end information tied to the vehicle identificationinformation, received from the ground power supplying apparatuses 2 andstored in the storage device 912 of the server 91.

Next, the processor 913 of the server 91 judges if it has received powerreception end information and power transmission end information tied tothe same vehicle identification information from a vehicle 3 and groundpower supplying apparatus 2 (step S42). If at step S42 it is judged thatcorresponding power reception end information and power transmission endinformation have been received, the processor 913 of the server 91performs the above-mentioned power supply end processing (step S43). Onthe other hand, if at step S42 it is judged that corresponding powerreception end information and power transmission end information havenot been received, step S43 is skipped.

Next, the processor 913 of the server 91 identifies the vehicleidentification information of the vehicles 3 positioned within thenearby regions of the ground power supplying apparatuses 2, based onvehicle information of the vehicles 3 (in particular, current positioninformation), installation position information of the ground powersupplying apparatuses 2 and the like, acquired at step S41 (step S44).The nearby regions of the ground power supplying apparatuses 2 are, forexample, stored in advance in the storage device 912 of the server 91.

Next, if power supply end processing to a certain vehicle 3 has alreadybeen performed in a certain ground power supplying apparatus 2, theprocessor 913 of the server 91 erases the vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 for which power supply end processing hasalready been performed, from the vehicle identification information ofthe vehicles 3 positioned within the nearby region of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 identified at step S44 (step S45). After that, theprocessor 913 of the server 91 transmits, to the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2, the vehicle information tied to the vehicleidentification information not erased at step S45 in the vehicleidentification information of the vehicles 3 identified as beingpositioned within the nearby regions of the ground power supplyingapparatuses 2 (step S46).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing relating tocommunication utilizing wide area wireless communication at a groundpower supplying apparatus 2. The processing shown in FIG. 10 isperformed at the processor 223 of the controller 22 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 every time the ground side first communicationdevice 81 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 receives vehicleinformation tied to the vehicle identification information from theserver 91.

If the ground side first communication device 81 receives vehicleinformation tied to the vehicle identification information of a vehicle3 positioned within the nearby region of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 (step S51), the processor 223 compares the vehicleidentification information included in the vehicle information and thevehicle identification information in the identification informationlist stored in the memory 342 (step S52).

After that, as a result of comparison of the vehicle identificationinformation at step S52, the processor 223 newly registers, in theidentification information list, the vehicle identification informationnot yet registered in the identification information list in the vehicleidentification information included in the received vehicle information(step S53). In addition, the processor 223 erases, from theidentification information list, the vehicle identification informationnot included in the vehicle identification information included in thevehicle information received from the server 91, in the vehicleidentification information which had been registered in theidentification information list (step S54). As a result, in theidentification information list, the vehicle identification informationof the vehicles 3 positioned within the nearby regions of the groundpower supplying apparatuses 2 is constantly registered. After that, theprocessor 223 makes the ground side first communication device 81transmit the vehicle identification information registered in theidentification information list to the server 91 through thecommunication network 92 (step S55)

States and Operations of Vehicle and Ground Power Supplying ApparatusRelating to Power Supply

Next, referring to FIGS. 11 to 15 , the states and operations of avehicle 3 and ground power supplying apparatus 2 relating to powersupply from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 willbe explained.

First, referring to FIG. 11 , the general transitions in operations andstates of the vehicle 3 and ground power supplying apparatus 2, whenpower is supplied from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to thevehicle 3, will be explained. FIG. 11 is a view schematically showingthe transitions in operations and states of the vehicle 3 and groundpower supplying apparatus 2 when the vehicle 3 approaches the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 and is supplied with power. Note that, inthe example shown in FIG. 11 , to simplify the explanation, thetransitions are shown in the case where there is only one vehicle 3 andthere is only one ground power supplying apparatus 2. Further, in FIG.11 , the sharp corner rectangles show states of the vehicle 3 or statesof the ground power supplying apparatus 2, while the rounded cornerrectangles show the operations of the vehicle 3 or ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 11 , in the initial state, the vehicle 3 isconsiderably away from the ground power supplying apparatus 2, and ispositioned at the outside of the nearby region of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2. For this reason, the vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 is not registered in the identificationinformation list of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. Therefore, alist registration notification is not transmitted to the vehicle 3either.

In this state, power will not be supplied from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 for a while. Therefore, thevehicle 3 is in a “sleep state” where only standby power is supplied toequipment related to power reception and power is not supplied to thevehicle side second communication device 72 (step S61). Further, theground power supplying apparatus 2 is also set to a “sleep state” whereonly standby power is supplied and power is not supplied to the groundside second communication device 82 (step S81).

After that, if the vehicle 3 enters inside the nearby region of theground power supplying apparatus 2, as explained above, vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 is registered in theidentification information list of the ground power supplying apparatus2 (step S82). Further, along with this, the vehicle 3 receives a listregistration notification notifying the fact of the vehicleidentification information being registered in the identificationinformation list of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 (step S62).

If the vehicle identification information is registered in theidentification information list of the ground power supplying apparatus2, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in a “reception standbystate” where power is supplied to the ground side second communicationdevice 82 (step S83). At the reception standby state, if a signal isemitted from the vehicle side second communication device 72 at a closedistance from the ground side second communication device 82, the groundside second communication device 82 can receive this signal. Further, ifthe vehicle 3 receives a list registration notification, the vehicle 3is in a “power reception active/signal emission state” where power foractuating is supplied to equipment relating to power reception by thevehicle 3 and power is supplied to the vehicle side second communicationdevice 72 so that a signal including vehicle identification informationof the vehicle 3 is emitted (step S63). In the power receptionactive/signal emission state, if the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 of the power reception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3 ispositioned above the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of thepower transmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus2, the power reception side resonance circuit 51 can receive power fromthe power transmission side resonance circuit 43.

After that, if the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 and it becomes possible for the ground side secondcommunication device 82 to receive a signal emitted from the vehicleside second communication device 72 (step S64), a signal includingvehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72 to the ground side second communicationdevice 82, and the ground side second communication device 82 receivesthis signal transmitted from the vehicle side second communicationdevice 72 (step S84).

The range of communication is short in short range wirelesscommunication, therefore the fact of the ground side secondcommunication device 82 receiving the signal emitted from the vehicleside second communication device 72 means the vehicle 3 identified withthe received vehicle identification information reached near the groundpower supplying apparatus 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, ifthe ground side second communication device 82 receives a signalincluding vehicle identification information, the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the “power transmission active state” (step S85). Inthe power transmission active state, weak power is supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2.

After that, if, in the state where the vehicle 3 is in the powerreception active state and the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is inthe power transmission active state, the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 and ispositioned over the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 (stepS65), magnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power reception sideresonance circuit 51, and the current flowing in the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2increases. If the current flowing in the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 increases in this way, the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in a “main power transmission state” where a large poweris supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 (stepS86). At this time, strong magnetic field resonant coupling is generatedbetween the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and powerreception side resonance circuit 51, and accordingly power is suppliedfrom the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 to the powerreception side resonance circuit 51, and accordingly power is suppliedfrom the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3.

After that, if the vehicle 3 moves and the power reception sideresonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 moves away from the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 (step S66), the magnetic field resonant coupling generatedbetween the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and powerreception side resonance circuit 51 becomes weaker, and the currentflowing in the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of theground power supplying apparatus 2 falls. If the current flowing in thepower transmission side resonance circuit 43 falls in this way, thepower supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43falls, and the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is returned to thepower transmission active state (step S87).

After that, if the vehicle 3 moves further away from the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 and magnetic field resonant coupling between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power reception sideresonance circuit 51 is lost, power reception end processing isperformed at the vehicle 3 (step S67). In the power reception endprocessing, the values of the parameters included in the power receptionend information are calculated, and the calculated power reception endinformation is sent from the vehicle 3 to the server 91. Further, atthis time, the power transmission end processing is performed at theground power supplying apparatus 2 (step S88). At the power transmissionend processing, the values of the parameters included in the powertransmission end information are calculated, and the calculated powertransmission end information is sent from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the server 91. At the ground power supplying apparatus 2,if the power transmission end processing is performed, the supply ofcurrent to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 is stopped,and accordingly the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is again set tothe reception standby state (step S89).

After that, if the vehicle 3 departs from the nearby region of theground power supplying apparatus 2, as explained above, the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 is erased from theidentification information list of the ground power supplying apparatus2 (step S90). Further, along with this, the vehicle 3 no longer receivesa list registration notification notifying registration of the vehicleidentification information in the identification information list of theground power supplying apparatus 2 (step S68). If the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 is erased from theidentification information list, there is no longer a vehicle 3requiring the supply of power, near the ground power supplying apparatus2, therefore the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is returned to thesleep state (step S91). Further, if the vehicle 3 no longer receives alist registration notification, there is no ground power supplyingapparatus 2 near the vehicle 3, therefore the vehicle 3 is also returnedto the sleep state (step S69).

Transitions s in State and Operation of Ground Power Supplying Apparatus

Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the state and operation of a groundpower supplying apparatus 2 will be explained. FIGS. 12 and 13 are viewsschematically showing transitions in the state and operation of theground power supplying apparatus 2. In particular, FIG. 12 shows thetransitions in the state and operation when a vehicle 3 is notpositioned near the ground power supplying apparatus 2, specifically thetransitions in the state and operation between the sleep state andreception standby state. On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows thetransitions in the state and operation when a vehicle 3 is positionednear the ground power supplying apparatus 2, specifically thetransitions in the state and operation among the reception standbystate, power transmission active state, main power transmission state,and standby state. Note that, in FIGS. 12 and 13 as well, the sharpcorner rectangles show states of the ground power supplying apparatus 2,while the rounded corner rectangles show the operations of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2.

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the sleep state shownin FIG. 12 (A11. State of step S81 and step S91 of FIG. 11 ), the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 is supplied with only standby power.Therefore, at this time, the controller 22 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is supplied with only the minimum required amount of standbypower, and the other equipment relating to the power transmission to thevehicle 3 is not supplied with power. For example, the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43, ground side second communicationdevice 82, ground side sensors 23, and magnetic field detector 66 arenot supplied with power. Further, the controller 22 is also onlysupplied with small power. For this reason, when the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is in the sleep state, the power consumed by theequipment relating to power transmission of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is small. However, even if the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the sleep state, power is supplied to the ground sidefirst communication device 81. For this reason, it is possible toreceive, from the server 91, the vehicle identification information ofthe vehicle 3 positioned within the nearby region of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the sleep state (A11),if the ground side first communication device 81 receives vehicleinformation, and vehicle identification information included in thevehicle information is registered in the identification information list(C11), power starts to be supplied to equipment relating to powertransmission of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 whereby thisequipment is actuated and this equipment is self-diagnosed (B12).Specifically, the controller 22 is supplied with sufficient power forthe controller 22 to completely operate, and the ground side secondcommunication device 82, ground side sensors 23, magnetic field detector66, etc. are supplied with power. Further, in the controller 22, aself-diagnosis program is run and the controller 22, ground side secondcommunication device 82, ground side sensors 23, etc. areself-diagnosed.

If such an actuation of equipment actuated and self-diagnosis arecompleted (C12), the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in thereception standby state (A13. State of steps S83 and S89 of FIG. 11 ).When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the reception standbystate (A13), power is supplied to the ground side second communicationdevice 82, and thus the ground side second communication device 82 isable to receive a signal. In addition, in the present embodiment, whenthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the reception standbystate, the controller 22, ground side sensors 23, magnetic fielddetector 66, etc., are also supplied with enough power. Therefore, whenthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the reception standbystate, if a signal is emitted from the vehicle side second communicationdevice 72 at a distance close from the ground side second communicationdevice 82, the ground side second communication device 82 can receivethis signal. On the other hand, when the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the reception standby state (A13), the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is not supplied with power. Therefore, even if the powerreception side resonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches thepower transmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, power is not supplied from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3. Further, when the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is in the reception standby state, the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is not supplied with power, therefore the power consumed bythe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is not that great.

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the reception standbystate (A13), if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2becomes a state where vehicle identification information of not even onevehicle is registered in the identification information list of theground power supplying apparatus 2 (C13), the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is returned to the sleep state (A11), since no vehicle 3will arrive near this ground power supplying apparatus 2 for the timebeing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the reception standby state (A13), if the vehicle 3approaches the ground power supplying apparatus 2, the ground sidesecond communication device 82 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2receives a signal including vehicle identification information emittedfrom the vehicle side second communication device 72 (C14). If theground side second communication device 82 receives a signal includingvehicle identification information, the vehicle identificationinformation included in the signal is stored in the memory 222 of thecontroller 22, as vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3during supply of power. In addition, the vehicle identificationinformation included in the signal and the vehicle identificationinformation registered in the identification information list stored inthe memory 222 are compared (B14).

The vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is transmittedin advance through the vehicle side first communication device 71 andthe ground side first communication device 81 to the ground powersupplying apparatus 2, therefore the vehicle identification informationincluded in the signal emitted from the vehicle side secondcommunication device 72 is basically registered in the identificationinformation list. However, for example, due to a malfunction of thevehicle side first communication device 71 or the like, the vehicleidentification information will sometimes not be registered in advancein the identification information list. If the vehicle identificationinformation is not registered in the identification information list(C19) in this way, power transmission end processing for ending powertransmission is performed (B19) without power being supplied from theground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3. Further, if a laterexplained end condition is satisfied (C19) during comparison of thevehicle identification information which had been included in the signaland the vehicle identification information registered in theidentification information list, power transmission end processing forending power transmission is performed (B19). Details of the powertransmission end processing will be explained later.

On the other hand, if as a result of comparison, the vehicleidentification information which had been included in the signalreceived from the vehicle side second communication device 72 had beenregistered in the identification information list (C15), next, thepresence of any lateral deviation between the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 and power reception side resonance circuit 51 isdetected by the lateral deviation detection device (B15). If lateraldeviation occurs between the power transmission side resonance circuit43 and power reception side resonance circuit 51, the efficiency ofpower supply therebetween falls. Therefore, if the occurrence of lateraldeviation between the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 andpower reception side resonance circuit 51 is detected by the lateraldeviation detection device (C20), power transmission end processing forending power transmission is performed (B19) without power beingsupplied from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3.Further, if during detection of the presence of any lateral deviation bythe lateral deviation detection device, the later explained endcondition is not satisfied (C20), power transmission end processing forending power transmission is performed (B19).

On the other hand, if no lateral deviation between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power reception sideresonance circuit 51 is detected by the lateral deviation detectiondevice (C16), it is judged if the later explained suspension conditionis satisfied. If the suspension condition is not satisfied (C18), theground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched from the receptionstandby state (A13) to the power transmission active state (A16. Stateat steps S85 and S87 of FIG. 11 ).

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the power transmissionactive state (A16), similarly to the reception standby state (A13), theground side second communication device 82, controller 22, ground sidesensors 23, magnetic field detector 66, etc., are supplied with power.In addition, at this time, the power transmission side resonance circuit43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is supplied with weakpower. By the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 beingsupplied with weak power, if the power reception side resonance circuit51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmission side resonancecircuit 43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 and is positionedover the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, magnetic fieldresonant coupling is generated between the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 and power reception side resonance circuit 51, andthe current flowing in the power transmission side resonance circuit 43increases.

Therefore, when the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the powertransmission active state (A16), if the current flowing in the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 increases (C21), it means thepower reception side resonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 has movedover the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2. Therefore, in this case, the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is switched to the main power transmission state(A17. State at step S86 of FIG. 11 ).

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the main powertransmission state (A17), similarly to the reception standby state(A13), the ground side second communication device 82, controller 22,ground side sensors 23, magnetic field detector 66, etc., are suppliedwith power. In addition, at this time, in order to transmit power to thevehicle 3, a greater power compared with the power transmission activestate (A16) is supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2. As a result, strongmagnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power reception sideresonance circuit 51, and large power is supplied from the powertransmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 tothe power reception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3. In particular, in thepresent embodiment, the power supplied to the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 at this time, is set based on the demanded suppliedpower included in the vehicle information tied with the vehicleidentification information. Specifically, the larger the demandedsupplied power, the larger the power supplied to the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43. The demanded supplied power may change duringsupply of power from the power transmission apparatus 4 to the powerreception apparatus 5 if, for example, the speed of the vehicle 3 isslow and the time during which the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 is positioned over the power transmission side resonancecircuit 43 is long. In this case, the power supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 also changes in accordance withthe change in the demanded supplied power.

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the main powertransmission state (A17), if the power reception side resonance circuit51 of the vehicle 3 moves away from the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2, asexplained above, the current flowing to the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 falls. Ifthe current flowing to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 falls (C22) in this way, theground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched from the main powertransmission state (A17) to the power transmission active state (A16).In addition, when the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the mainpower transmission state, if the later explained end condition issatisfied or if the later explained suspension condition is satisfied,the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched to the powertransmission active state (A16). As a result, if the end condition issatisfied and power transmission is ended or if the suspension conditionis satisfied and power transmission is suspended, the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is temporarily set to the power transmissionactive state (A16) and, accordingly, the power supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 is kept from rapidly falling tozero. For this reason, the load on the power transmission side resonancecircuit 43 and other equipment due to the power supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 rapidly falling to zero, isreduced.

If the suspension condition is satisfied (C23) when the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is in the power transmission active state (A16),or if the suspension condition is satisfied (C17) when no lateraldeviation is detected by the lateral deviation detection device, theground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched to the standby state(A18).

The standby state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is basicallythe same state as the reception standby state. Therefore, when theground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the standby state (A18), theground side second communication device 82, controller 22, ground sidesensors 23, magnetic field detector 66, etc., are supplied withsufficient power, while the power transmission side resonance circuit 43is not supplied with power. Therefore, when the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the standby state (A18), power is not supplied fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 and, further,similarly to the reception standby state, the consumed power is not thatgreat.

In this regard, a suspension condition is a condition due to which powertransmission from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle3 has to be temporarily suspended. Below, specific examples of thesuspension condition will be listed. All of the suspension conditionslisted below may be used, or some of the suspension conditions need notbe used. In the present embodiment, if any one of the followingsuspension conditions is satisfied, the ground power supplying apparatus2 is switched to the standby state (A18).

A first suspension condition is that lateral deviation become detectedbetween the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and powerreception side resonance circuit 51 by the lateral deviation detectiondevice. As explained above, if lateral deviation occurs, the powersupply efficiency falls, therefore the power supply is cancelled whenlateral deviation is detected.

In this regard, as explained above, when a vehicle 3 approaches a groundpower supplying apparatus 2, the detection of lateral deviation is alsoperformed by the lateral deviation detection device (B15). In this case,the power reception side resonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 maygreatly deviate from the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2. In contrast, if it is oncedetected that no lateral deviation has occurred when the vehicle 3approaches the ground power supplying apparatus 2 (C16), after that, alarge lateral deviation becomes hard to occur even if lateral deviationoccurs between the power reception side resonance circuit 51 and powertransmission side resonance circuit 43. For this reason, lateraldeviation being detected between the power reception side resonancecircuit 51 and power transmission side resonance circuit 43 by thelateral deviation detection device is not used as an end condition forending power transmission, but is used as a suspension condition.However, the lateral deviation being detected may be used as an endcondition for ending power transmission.

A second suspension condition is that communication between the groundside first communication device 81 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 and the server 91 is disrupted. In this regard, the groundside first communication device 81 periodically communicates with theserver 91 and, for example, receives vehicle information of a vehicle 3being supplied with power (in particular, the demanded supplied poweretc.) Further, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 transmits power tothe vehicle 3 based on the received vehicle information. Therefore, ifit becomes no longer possible to receive vehicle information of thevehicle 3, the ground power supplying apparatus 2 can no longer suitablycontrol the power supply. For this reason, when communication isdisrupted, transmission of power to the vehicle 3 is temporarilysuspended.

A third suspension condition is that the temperature of the powertransmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2, inparticular the temperature of the power transmission side rectificationcircuit 41, inverter 42, or power transmission side resonance circuit43, become greater than or equal to a predetermined suspension referencetemperature. In order for the temperature of the power transmissionapparatus 4 to be kept from becoming excessively high, the transmissionof power to the vehicle 3 is temporarily suspended if this suspensioncondition is satisfied. The temperature of the power transmissionapparatus 4 is detected by the ground side sensors 23 (powertransmission apparatus temperature sensor).

A fourth suspension condition is that the speed of the vehicle 3 runningover the power transmission apparatus 4 is greater than or equal to apredetermined suspension reference speed. If the speed of the vehicle 3is greater than or equal to the suspension reference speed, the powersupply efficiency is low, therefore the transmission of power to thevehicle 3 is temporarily suspended if this suspension condition issatisfied. The speed of the vehicle 3, for example, is calculated basedon the trends in the power supplied from the power transmissionapparatus 4 to the power reception apparatus 5.

A fifth suspension condition is that a foreign object or living objectbe present on the road in which the power transmission apparatus 4 isburied. If there is a foreign object or living object present over thepower transmission apparatus 4, the alternating magnetic field generatedby the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 changes and thepower supply efficiency may fall along with this, therefore transmissionof power to the vehicle 3 is temporarily suspended if this suspensioncondition is satisfied. The foreign object or living object on the roadin which the power transmission apparatus 4 is buried is detected by theground side sensors 23 (foreign object sensor and living object sensor).

The sixth suspension condition is that the power (or current or voltage)supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of thepower transmission apparatus 4 is greater than or equal to apredetermined suspension reference value. If the power supplied to thepower transmission side resonance circuit 43 is excessively large, thereis a possibility of an abnormality occurring in the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43, therefore transmission of power to thevehicle 3 is temporarily suspended if this suspension condition issatisfied. The power supplied to the power transmission side resonancecircuit 43 is calculated based on the outputs of the ground side sensors23 (power transmission apparatus current sensor and power transmissionapparatus voltage sensor).

When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the standby state(A18), if all of the above-mentioned suspension conditions is no longersatisfied (C24), the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched tothe power transmission active state (A16).

If an end condition is satisfied (C25) when the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is in the power transmission active state (A16), if an endcondition is satisfied (C26) when the ground power supplying apparatus 2is in the standby state (A18), or if an end condition is satisfiedotherwise, the power transmission end processing is performed (B19.State at step S88 of FIG. 11 ).

At the power transmission end processing, power transmission endinformation is transmitted from the ground side first communicationdevice 81 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the server 91.The power transmission end information, as explained above, includesinformation relating to power transmission to the vehicle 3. The valuesof the various parameters included in the power transmission endinformation are calculated based on the outputs of the ground sidesensors 23 or the like. In addition, at the power transmission endprocessing, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3during power supply, stored in the memory 222 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 due to the operation shown in B14, is erased fromthe memory 222. If the power transmission end processing ends, theground power supplying apparatus 2 is switched to the reception standbystate (A13).

In this regard, an end condition is a condition due to which powertransmission from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle3 has to be ended. Below, specific examples of the end condition will belisted. All of the end conditions listed below may be used, or some ofthe end conditions need not be used. In the present embodiment, thepower transmission end processing is performed, if any one of thefollowing end conditions is satisfied.

A first end condition is that a vehicle 3 which had approached theground power supplying apparatus 2 be detected moving away from theground power supplying apparatus 2. If the vehicle 3 passes beyond thepower transmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus2, no further power is transmitted from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to that vehicle 3, therefore the transmission of power tothe vehicle 3 is ended if this end condition is satisfied. The vehicle 3moving away from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is detected byany technique. Specifically, for example, the vehicle 3 moving away fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is detected by the signal whichthe vehicle side second communication device 72 emits being no longerreceived by the ground side second communication device 82. Further, forexample, a magnetic field detector such as one able to be used in thelateral deviation detection device may be arranged at the back of thepower transmission apparatus 4 in the direction of advance of thevehicle 3, and the alternating magnetic field generated from thealternating magnetic field generation circuit 61 of the vehicle 3 may bedetected by this magnetic field detector to thereby detect the vehicle 3moving away from the ground power supplying apparatus 2.

A second end condition is that the ground side second communicationdevice 82 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 receive a signalincluding vehicle identification information different from the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 during power supply storedin the memory 222 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 in theoperation shown in B14. In other words, the second end condition is thatthe ground side second communication device 82 receive vehicleidentification information of a vehicle different from the vehicle 3 towhich power is being transmitted or the vehicle 3 to which power hadfinished being transmitted right before. If a following vehicle iscoming up so fast that the ground side second communication device 82receives a signal including vehicle identification information in thisway, it is necessary to avoid confusion between the vehicle currentlybeing transmitted power to and the following vehicle, therefore powertransmission to the vehicle 3 is ended. As explained above, due to thisend condition being satisfied, if the power transmission end processingis performed early, the vehicle identification information of thevehicle 3 currently being supplied with power stored, in the memory 222of the ground power supplying apparatus 2, can be erased from the memory222 early. Accordingly, it is possible to erase vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power, before powertransmission to the following vehicle is started.

A third end condition is that the elapsed time, from when vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power isregistered in the memory 222 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2,become greater than or equal to a predetermined end reference time. Ifthe elapsed time becomes too long, there is a possibility that theground power supplying apparatus 2 will not be able to detect thevehicle 3 moving away or other abnormalities will occur, therefore powerfinishes being transmitted to the vehicle 3 if this end condition issatisfied. Note that, the third end condition may be another conditionso long as a condition showing that the vehicle 3 has been occupying thespace above the power transmission apparatus 4 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 over a long period of time. Therefore, forexample, the third end condition may be that the time period during theground power supplying apparatus 2 is in the power transmission activestate or standby state within the time period from when the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power isregistered in the memory 222, become greater than or equal to apredetermined time.

A fourth end condition is that equipment relating to transmission ofpower to the vehicle 3 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 ismalfunctioning. When the ground power supplying apparatus 2 ismalfunctioning, it is not possible to suitably supply power from theground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3, therefore when thisend condition is satisfied, transmission of power to the vehicle 3 isended. A malfunction of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is, forexample, detected by self-diagnosis of equipment relating to powertransmission to the vehicle 3 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2(performed in the operation shown by B12 as well).

A fifth end condition is there being an end request from outside of thenoncontact power supplying system 1. For example, an end request istransmitted from outside of the noncontact power supplying system 1 tothe ground power supplying apparatus 2, if road work is started near theground power supplying apparatus 2 or if a disaster occurs. This endrequest is transmitted from a system outside of the noncontact powersupplying system 1 to the server 91, and is transmitted from the server91 to the ground side first communication device 81.

A sixth end condition is that a coupling coefficient between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 and the power reception side resonance circuit 51 of thevehicle 3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value,or that the power supplied from the ground power supplying apparatus 2to the vehicle 3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined endreference value. In this regard, if the coupling coefficient isextremely large or if the transmitted power is extremely large, there isa possibility of excessive current flowing to the power transmissionapparatus 4 or power reception apparatus 5. For this reason, by endingthe power transmission from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 tothe vehicle 3 if the coupling coefficient is greater than or equal to areference value or the transmitted power is greater than or equal to areference value, excessive current is kept from flowing to the powertransmission apparatus 4 or the power reception apparatus 5. The powertransmitted from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3is, for example, calculated based on the outputs of the ground sidesensors 23 (power transmission apparatus current sensor and powertransmission apparatus voltage sensor).

A seventh end condition is that the fee amount charged to the user ofthe vehicle 3, calculated based on the power transmitted from the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3, becomes greater than orequal to a predetermined upper limit charged amount. The fee amountcharged to the user is calculated by the controller based on the trendsin transmitted power during power transmission to the vehicle 3 and thecharging rate per unit power at that time. Further, the upper limitcharged amount may be a constant value determined in advance or may be avalue set by the user of the vehicle 3. If a value is set by the user,the upper limit charged amount is included in the vehicle informationtransmitted from the vehicle 3.

An eighth end condition is the reception of a later explained powertransmission stop request from the vehicle 3. As explained later, if acancel condition or disconnect condition for canceling or disconnectingpower reception by the power reception apparatus 5 in the vehicle 3 issatisfied, a power transmission stop request is transmitted from thevehicle side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3. If such acancel condition or disconnect condition is satisfied, powertransmission to the vehicle 3 is ended since no further power will bereceived at the vehicle 3 and accordingly it is not necessary tomaintain the ground power supplying apparatus 2 in a state able totransmit power to the vehicle 3.

The state and operation of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 arecontrolled by the controller 22. Therefore, for example, when the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 is in the standby state, the controller 22judges if the suspension condition is satisfied and if the end conditionis satisfied, based on the outputs of the ground side sensors 23 or thelike. Further, if judging that the suspension condition is notsatisfied, the controller 22 controls the inverter 42 so that a weakcurrent is supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43.

Transitions s in State and Operation of Vehicle

Next, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 , the transitions in the state andoperation of the vehicle 3 will be explained. FIG. 14 is a viewschematically showing transitions in the state and operation of thevehicle 3. In FIG. 14 as well, the sharp corner rectangles show statesof the vehicle 3, while the rounded corner rectangles show theoperations of the vehicle 3.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the vehicle 3 can take two sleep states of a firstsleep state (A31) and a second sleep state (A35) (states of steps S61and S69 of FIG. 11 ). When the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state(A31), the equipment relating to power reception of the vehicle 3 issupplied with only standby power. Therefore, at this time, the ECU 34 ofthe vehicle 3 is supplied with only the minimum required amount ofstandby power, while the other equipment relating to power receptionfrom the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is not supplied with power.Therefore, for example, the vehicle side second communication device 72,alternating current power generation circuit 64, and vehicle sidesensors 37 are not supplied with power. Further, the ECU 34 is onlysupplied with small power. For this reason, when the vehicle 3 is in thefirst sleep state (A31), the power consumed by equipment relating topower reception of the vehicle 3 is small. However, even when thevehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31), power is supplied to thevehicle side first communication device 71. For this reason, the vehicleside first communication device 71 can receive from the server 91 a listregistration notification notifying it that vehicle identification ofthe vehicle 3 has been registered in the identification information listof any ground power supplying apparatus 2.

Further, in the first sleep state (A31), the relay 38 is connectedbetween the power reception apparatus 5 and the battery 32. Therefore,if the power reception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 are connected andthe power reception apparatus 5 receives power, the power is supplied tothe battery 32.

When the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31), if listregistration notification notifying that vehicle identificationinformation of a vehicle 3 is registered in the identificationinformation list of any ground power supplying apparatus 2 is receivedby the vehicle side first communication device 71 and the laterexplained cancel condition and disconnect condition are not satisfied(C31), the supply of power to equipment relating to power reception fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 of the vehicle 3 is started, theequipment are actuated, and self-diagnosis is performed at the equipment(B32). Specifically, the ECU 34 is supplied with sufficient power forcompletely operating, and the vehicle side second communication device72, alternating current power generation circuit 64, vehicle sidesensors 37, etc., are supplied with power. Further, at the ECU 34, aself-diagnosis program is run, and self-diagnosis of the ECU 34, vehicleside second communication device 72, alternating current powergeneration circuit 64, vehicle side sensors 37, etc., is performed.

If the actuation and self-diagnosis of the equipment are completed, thevehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33) or powerreception active/signal emission state (A34. State at step S63 of FIG.11 ). When the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33) orpower reception active/signal emission state (A34), the ECU 34, vehicleside sensors 37, etc., are supplied with sufficient power.

Therefore, when the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state(A33) or power reception active/signal emission state (A34), if thepower reception side resonance circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approachesthe power transmission side resonance circuit 43 of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 and is positioned over the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43, strong magnetic field resonant coupling isgenerated between the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 andpower reception side resonance circuit 51, and large power is suppliedfrom the ground power supplying apparatus 2. On the other hand, when thevehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33) or powerreception active/signal emission state (A34), if the vehicle 3 moves andthe power reception side resonance circuit 51 separates from the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 from a state where strongmagnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power reception sideresonance circuit 51, the magnetic field resonant coupling is broken andthe supply of power from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to thevehicle 3 is ended.

Further, when the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state(A33), the vehicle side second communication device 72 and alternatingcurrent power generation circuit 64 are not supplied with power.Therefore, the vehicle side second communication device 72 cannot emit asignal including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle3. Further, the alternating current power generation circuit 64 cannotgenerate an alternating magnetic field for detection of lateraldeviation. On the other hand, when the vehicle 3 is in the powerreception active/signal emission condition (A34), the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72 and alternating current power generationcircuit 64 are supplied with power. Therefore, the vehicle side secondcommunication device 72 emits a signal including the vehicleidentification information of the vehicle 3, and the alternating currentpower generation circuit 64 generates an alternating magnetic field fordetection of lateral deviation. Therefore, at this time, if the vehicle3 runs near the ground power supplying apparatus 2, a signal includingvehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle sidesecond communication device 72 to the ground side second communicationdevice 82.

Note that, when the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state(A33), the vehicle side second communication device 72 and alternatingcurrent power generation circuit 64 are not supplied with power,therefore the power consumed by the vehicle 3 is not that great. On theother hand. when the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active/signalemission state (A34), the vehicle side second communication device 72and alternating current power generation circuit 64 are supplied withpower, therefore the power consumed is greater compared with the powerreception active state (A33).

When the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33), if noneof the emission stop conditions are satisfied (C33), the vehicle 3 isswitched to the power reception active/signal emission state (A34). Onthe other hand, when the vehicle 3 is in the power receptionactive/signal emission state (A34), if an emission stop condition issatisfied (C34), the vehicle 3 is switched to the power reception activestate (A33).

In this regard, an emission stop condition is a condition due to whichemission of a signal from the vehicle side second communication device72 has to be temporarily stopped. By temporarily stopping emission of asignal from the vehicle side second communication device 72, a groundside second communication device 82 is no longer sent the signalincluding vehicle identification information, and accordingly power isno longer transmitted from the ground power supplying apparatus 2.Below, specific examples of the emission stop condition will be given.All of the emission stop conditions listed below may be used, or some ofthe emission stop conditions need not be used. In the presentembodiment, if any one of the following emission stop conditions issatisfied, the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33),while if none is satisfied, the vehicle 3 is in the power receptionactive/signal emission state (A34).

A first emission stop condition is that other processing making largepower flow into the battery 32 is being performed at the vehicle 3. Ifthe battery 32 is being rapidly charged by a method other thannoncontact power transfer, it is difficult to simultaneously supplypower by noncontact power transfer to the battery 32, therefore signalemission is temporarily stopped so as to temporarily stop transmissionof power from the ground power supplying apparatus 2. The above otherprocessing includes, for example, starting or stopping of the internalcombustion engine if the vehicle 3 is a hybrid vehicle also driven by aninternal combustion engine. This other processing, for example, isdetected from outputs of the vehicle side sensors 37 provided at thevehicle 3, control commands from the ECU 34 to the internal combustionengine, or the like.

A second emission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 is currentlybeing sharply braked. If the vehicle 3 is currently being sharplybraked, the battery 32 is charged by the regenerated power, therefore itbecomes difficult to simultaneously efficiently supply power due tononcontact power transfer to the battery 32, and therefore emission of asignal is temporarily stopped in order to temporarily stop powertransmission from the ground power supplying apparatus 2. Whether thevehicle 3 is currently being sharply braked, for example, is detectedbased on the amount of depression of the brake pedal of the vehicle 3.

A third emission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 is currentlychanging a lane. If the vehicle 3 is currently changing a lane, even ifthe vehicle 3 is running near a ground power supplying apparatus 2, thelateral deviation between the power transmission side resonance circuit43 and power reception side resonance circuit 51 is large, thereforeemission of a signal is temporarily stopped so as to temporarily stoptransmission of power from the ground power supplying apparatus 2. Thevehicle 3 currently changing a lane is detected, for example, based onan image captured by a front camera provided at the vehicle 3 (notshown), or the like.

A fourth emission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 approaches theleft or right dividing line or sticks out from the left or rightdividing line. In this case as well, even if the vehicle 3 is runningnear the ground power supplying apparatus 2, the lateral deviationbetween the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and powerreception side resonance circuit 51 is large, therefore emission of asignal is temporarily stopped so as to temporarily stop transmission ofpower from the ground power supplying apparatus 2. Whether or not thevehicle 3 is approaching the left or right dividing line or sticking outfrom the dividing line is detected, for example, based on an imagecaptured by a front camera provided at the vehicle 3 (not shown) or thelike.

A fifth emission stop condition is that if the vehicle 3 is providedwith a magnetic field detector of the lateral deviation detectiondevice, lateral deviation is detected between the power transmissionside resonance circuit 43 and power reception side resonance circuit 51by this lateral deviation detection device. As explained above, iflateral deviation has occurred, the power supply efficiency falls,therefore when lateral deviation is detected, emission of a signal istemporarily stopped so as to temporarily stop transmission of power fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2.

A sixth emission stop condition is that communication between thevehicle side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and theserver 91 is disrupted for less than a certain time. In this regard, thevehicle side first communication device 71 periodically communicateswith the server 91 and, for example, transmits vehicle information ofthe vehicle 3 currently being supplied with power (in particular, thedemanded supplied power, etc.) Further, if it is no longer possible totransmit vehicle information of the vehicle 3, it becomes no longerpossible to suitably control the power supply. For this reason, whencommunication is disrupted, emission of a signal is temporarily stoppedso as to temporarily stop transmission of power from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2.

Note that, if the vehicle 3 is provided with a magnetic field detectorof a lateral deviation detection device and a magnetic field generationcircuit is buried a certain extent in front of the power transmissionapparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 in the runningdirection of the vehicle 3, it is possible detect the approach of thevehicle 3 to the ground power supplying apparatus 2 by this magneticfield detector. In such a case, an emission stop condition (seventhemission stop condition) may be that the approach of the vehicle 3 tothe power transmission apparatus 4 of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 is not detected by the magnetic field detector of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2. Due to this, it is possible to make thevehicle side first communication device 71 emit a signal only when thevehicle 3 has approached the ground power supplying apparatus 2.

When the vehicle 3 is in the power reception active state (A33) or powerreception active/signal emission state (A34), if the vehicle side firstcommunication device 71 of the vehicle 3 no longer receives a listregistration notification, that is, if vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 is no longer registered in theidentification information list of any ground power supplying apparatus2 (C35), the vehicle 3 is returned to the first sleep state (A31).

On the other hand, when the vehicle 3 is in the power reception activestate (A33) or power reception active/signal emission state (A34), if alater explained cancel condition is satisfied and the power receptionapparatus 5 is not currently receiving power from the power transmissionapparatus 4 of the ground power supplying apparatus 2, or if a laterexplained disconnect condition is satisfied (C36), an identificationinformation erasure request and power transmission stopping request aretransmitted from the vehicle side first communication device 71 to theserver 91, and in turn to the corresponding ground power supplyingapparatus 2.

An identification information erasure request is a request for erasureof that vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 from theidentification information list of the corresponding ground powersupplying apparatus 2. The ground power supplying apparatus 2 to whichthe erasure request is intended to be given may also be all of theground power supplying apparatuses 2 of which vehicle identificationinformation of the vehicle 3 is registered at the identificationinformation list, or may be only a ground power supplying apparatus 2positioned near the current position of that vehicle 3. A ground powersupplying apparatus 2 receiving an identification information erasurerequest erases the vehicle identification information of that vehicle 3from the identification information list stored in the memory 222 of theground power supplying apparatus 2.

A power supply stopping request is a request for stopping supply ofpower from a corresponding ground power supplying apparatus 2 to avehicle 3. A ground power supplying apparatus 2 to which a stoppingrequest is intended to be given is a ground power supplying apparatus 2positioned near the current position of that vehicle 3. The ground powersupplying apparatus 2 receiving a power transmission request stops powertransmission, when transmitting power to that vehicle 3.

By transmitting an identification information erasure request and powertransmission stopping request to the ground power supplying apparatus 2in this way, it is no longer necessary to switch the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 unnecessarily from the sleep state (A11) to thereception standby state (A13) or the power transmission active state(A16), and it is possible to suppress power consumption of the groundpower supplying apparatus 2.

When an identification information erasure request and powertransmission stopping request are transmitted from the vehicle sidefirst communication device 71 (B13), if a disconnect condition issatisfied (C37), the vehicle 3 is switched to the second sleep state(A35). Further, when the vehicle is the first sleep state (A31), if adisconnect condition is satisfied (C38) as well, the vehicle 3 isswitched to the second sleep state (A35).

When the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35), similarly to thefirst sleep state (A31), the vehicle 3 is supplied with only the standbypower. However, when the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35),the relay 38 is disconnected. Therefore, the connection of the powerreception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 is broken, and the powerreception apparatus 5 cannot substantially receive power.

When the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35) and a disconnectcondition is no longer satisfied (C39), the vehicle 3 is switched to thefirst sleep state (A31).

In this regard, a disconnect condition is a condition in which the powerreception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 have to be disconnected inaddition to the cancel of reception of power from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3. Below, specific examples of adisconnect condition will be listed. All of the disconnect conditionslisted below may be used, or some of the disconnect conditions need notbe used. In the present embodiment, if any one of the followingdisconnect conditions is satisfied, the vehicle 3 is switched to thesecond sleep state (A35).

A first disconnect condition is that the state of charge SOC of thebattery 32 is greater than or equal to a limit value of the state ofcharge. The limit value of the state of charge is a predetermined valuesuch that, in the structure of the battery 32, it is difficult to chargethe battery 32 any more, and, for example, is greater than or equal to95%. If the state of charge SOC of the battery 32 is greater than orequal to the limit value of the state of charge, it is not possible tocharge the battery 32 for the time being, therefore the power receptionapparatus 5 and the battery 32 are disconnected. The state of charge SOCof the battery 32 is calculated at the ECU 34, based on the value of thecharge current and value of the discharge current of the battery 32detected by a vehicle side sensor 37 (current sensor).

A second disconnect condition is that the temperature of the battery 32is greater than or equal to a battery limit temperature. The limittemperature is a temperature at which the battery 32 will increasinglydeteriorate if the temperature of the battery 32 becomes greater than orequal to the battery limit temperature. If the temperature of thebattery 32 becomes greater than or equal to the battery limittemperature, the battery 32 cannot be charged for the time being sinceit would invite a rise in temperature of the battery 32, therefore thepower reception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 are disconnected. Thetemperature of the battery 32 is detected by the vehicle side sensor 37(battery temperature sensor).

A third disconnect condition is that the temperature of the powerreception apparatus 5 of the vehicle 3, in particular, the temperatureof the power reception side resonance circuit 51 and power receptionside rectification circuit 54, is greater than or equal to apredetermined power reception apparatus limit temperature. The powerreception apparatus limit temperature is a temperature at which there isa possibility of an abnormality occurring in the power receptionapparatus 5 if the temperature of power reception apparatus 5 becomesfurther higher than that. If the temperature of the power receptionapparatus 5 is greater than or equal to the power reception apparatuslimit temperature, it is not possible to use the power receptionapparatus 5 for the time being since it would invite a rise intemperature of the power reception apparatus 5, therefore the powerreception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 are disconnected. Thetemperature of the power reception apparatus 5 is detected by thevehicle side sensor 37 (power reception apparatus temperature sensor).

A fourth disconnect condition is that the current flowing to the powerreception apparatus 5 is greater than or equal to a limit value ofcurrent or that the voltage applied to the power reception apparatus 5is greater than or equal to a limit value of voltage. If the currentflowing to the power reception apparatus 5 or the voltage applied to thepower reception apparatus 5 becomes excessively large, there is apossibility of an abnormality occurring in the power reception apparatus5, therefore the power reception apparatus 5 and the battery 32 aredisconnected. The current flowing to the power reception apparatus 5 andthe voltage applied to the power reception apparatus 5 are detected bythe vehicle side sensors 37 (current sensor and voltage sensor).

A fifth disconnect condition is that communication between the vehicleside first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and the server 91 isdisrupted for greater than or equal to a constant time. As explainedabove, the vehicle side first communication device 71 periodicallycommunicates with the server 91 and, for example, transmits vehicleinformation of the vehicle 3 currently being supplied with power (inparticular, the demanded supplied power, etc.) Further, if it becomes nolonger possible to transmit vehicle information of the vehicle 3, itbecomes no longer possible to suitably control the power supply. Inparticular, when such communication is disrupted for greater than orequal to a constant period, the cause is not the occurrence of atemporary loss of communication, therefore the power reception apparatus5 and the battery 32 are disconnected.

Note that, a disconnect condition is satisfied in a lower frequency,compared with the later explained cancel condition. In this regard, ifthe relay 38 handling a high voltage is frequently connected anddisconnected, this becomes a factor causing abnormality of the relay 38.In the present embodiment, abnormality at the relay 38 is kept fromoccurring by making the disconnect condition due to which the relay 38is disconnected a condition with a low frequency of being satisfied.

On the other hand, when an identification information erasure requestand power transmission stopping request are transmitted from the vehicleside first communication device 71 (B13), if a cancel condition issatisfied (C40), the state of the vehicle 3 is switched to the firstsleep state (A31).

In this regard, a cancel condition is a condition in which reception ofpower from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 at the vehicle 3 hasto be cancelled. Below, specific examples of a cancel condition will belisted. All of the cancel conditions listed below may be used, or someof the cancel conditions need not be used. In the present embodiment, ifany one of the following cancel conditions is satisfied, the vehicle 3is switched to the first sleep state (A31).

A first cancel condition is that the state of charge SOC of the battery32 is greater than or equal to a state of charge reference value andless than a state of charge limit value. The state of charge referencevalue is a predetermined value less than the above-mentioned state ofcharge limit value, and is, for example, greater than or equal to 80%.If the state of charge SOC of the battery 32 becomes greater than orequal to the state of charge reference value, basically it is notnecessary to charge the battery 32, therefore reception of power fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 is cancelled.

A second cancel condition is that the temperature of the battery 32 isgreater than or equal to a battery reference temperature and less than abattery limit temperature. The battery reference temperature is apredetermined temperature less than the above-mentioned battery limittemperature. If the temperature of the battery 32 becomes greater thanor equal to the battery reference temperature, it is necessary to keepfrom charging the battery 32 so that the temperature of the battery 32does not reach the battery limit temperature, therefore reception ofpower from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 iscancelled.

A third cancel condition is that the temperature of the power receptionapparatus 5 of the vehicle 3, in particular the temperature of the powerreception side resonance circuit 51 or power reception siderectification circuit 54, is greater than or equal to a predeterminedpower reception apparatus reference temperature and less than a powerreception apparatus limit temperature. The power reception apparatusreference temperature is a predetermined temperature less than theabove-mentioned power reception apparatus limit temperature. If thetemperature of the power reception apparatus 5 becomes greater than orequal to the power reception apparatus reference temperature, it isnecessary to keep the power reception apparatus 5 from being used sothat the temperature of the power reception apparatus 5 does not reachthe power reception apparatus limit temperature, therefore reception ofpower from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 iscancelled.

A fourth cancel condition is that an allowable charged power of thebattery 32 is greater than or equal to a predetermined charged powerreference value. If the allowable charged power of the battery 32 issmall, even if the power reception apparatus 5 receives power from thepower transmission apparatus 4, there is the possibility that the powerwould not be able to be suitably supplied to the battery, thereforereception of power from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to thevehicle 3 is cancelled. The allowable charged power of the battery 32 iscalculated based on the outputs of the vehicle side sensors 37 (batterytemperature sensor, battery current sensor, etc.)

A fifth cancel condition is that the speed of the vehicle 3 is greaterthan or equal to a predetermined cancel reference speed. If the speed ofthe vehicle 3 is greater than or equal to the cancel reference speed,the power supply efficiency falls, therefore reception of power from theground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 is cancelled. Thecancel reference speed may be the same as the suspension reference speedin the above-mentioned fifth suspension condition. The speed of thevehicle 3 is detected by the vehicle side sensor 37 (speed sensor).

A sixth cancel condition is that a fee amount charged to the user of thevehicle 3, calculated based on the received power of the vehicle 3 fromthe ground power supplying apparatus 2, is greater than or equal to apredetermined upper limit charged amount. The fee amount charged to theuser is calculated by the ECU 34, based on the trends in the receivedpower while the vehicle 3 receiving power from the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 and the charging rate per unit power at that time.Further, the upper limit charged amount may be a predetermined constantvalue, or may be a value set for the user of the vehicle 3.

A seventh cancel condition is that there is a cancel request from theuser. A cancel request from the user is, for example, output from aswitch provided at the vehicle 3 for inputting whether or not it isnecessary to supply power while the vehicles 3 running.

The state and operation of the vehicle 3 are controlled by the ECU 34.Therefore, for example, when the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state(A35), the ECU 34 judges whether the disconnect condition is satisfied,based on the outputs of the vehicle side sensors 37 or the like.Further, when judging that the disconnect condition is not satisfied,the ECU 34 controls the relay 38 so that the power reception apparatus 5and the battery 32 are connected.

Next, referring to FIG. 15 , the power reception end processing will beexplained. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the flow of operationsrelating to the power reception end processing. The illustratedprocessing is performed every certain time interval.

As shown in FIG. 15 , first, the ECU 34 acquires the current positioninformation and map information (step S101). The ECU 34 acquires thecurrent position information of the vehicle 3 from the GNSS receiver 35.In addition, the ECU 34 acquires the map information from the storagedevice 36. In particular, in the present embodiment, the ECU 34 acquiresmap information including the installation position information of theground power supplying apparatus 2 at the surroundings of the currentposition of the vehicle 3.

Next, the ECU 34 judges if the vehicle 3 has passed over any groundpower supplying apparatus 2, based on the current position informationand installation position information of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 acquired at step S101 (step S102).

If at step S102 it is judged that the vehicle 3 has passed over anyground power supplying apparatus 2, the ECU 34 performs the powerreception end processing (step S103). At the power reception endprocessing, power reception end information is transmitted from thevehicle side first communication device 71 to the server 91. The powerreception end information includes information relating to the receptionof power from the ground power supplying apparatus 2. The values ofvarious parameters included in the power reception end information arecalculated based on the outputs of the vehicle side sensors 37. On theother hand, if at step S102 it is judged that the vehicle 3 has notpassed over any ground power supplying apparatus 2, step S103 isskipped.

According to the present embodiment explained above, the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 transmitting power to a vehicle 3 by noncontact isprovided with a power transmission apparatus 4 having a powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 (resonance circuit) andtransmitting power to the vehicle 3 and a controller 22 (control device)configured to shift a state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 toa standby state when a predetermined suspension condition is satisfiedif the state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is a main powertransmission state or a power transmission active state and to shift astate of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the powertransmission active state when the suspension condition is no longersatisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 is thestandby state.

The main power transmission state is a state where power is supplied tothe power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and power is beingsupplied to the vehicle 3. The power transmission active state is astate where weak power is supplied to the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 and power can be transmitted to the vehicle 3. Thestandby state is a state where the supply of power to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 is stopped and where the powertransmission active state can be shifted to by supplying weak power tothe power transmission side resonance circuit 43.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, when a suspensioncondition where transmission of power from the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 has to be temporarily suspended stands, itis possible to shift to a standby state where the power transmissionactive state can be immediately shifted to by supplying weak power tothe power transmission side resonance circuit 43. For this reason, it ispossible to quickly restart power transmission if suspending powertransmission from the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle3.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ground power supplying apparatus2 is provided with a ground side second communication device 82 (narrowrange communication device) for directly communicating with the vehicle3 by utilizing narrow range wireless communication. The controller 22(control device) is configured to shift the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 to the reception standby state (second standbystate) when a predetermined end condition is satisfied if the state ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is the main power transmissionstate, the power transmission active state, or the standby state.

The reception standby state is the state where the supply of power tothe power transmission side resonance circuit 43 (resonance circuit) isstopped and where if receiving vehicle identification information fromthe vehicle 3 by the ground side second communication device 82, thepower transmission active state is shifted when that vehicleidentification information is registered in a list of vehicleidentification information of vehicles 3 which might be supplied bypower by the ground power supplying apparatus 2 stored in the controller22.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to stopthe supply of power to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43and suppress the power consumed by the ground power supplying apparatus2 when an end condition where the transmission of power from the groundpower supplying apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 has to be ended standswhile it is possible to immediately shift to the power transmissionactive state when newly receiving the vehicle identificationinformation.

Above, an embodiment of the present disclosure was explained, but theembodiment only shows some of the examples of application of the presentdisclosure and is not meant to limit the technical scope of the presentdisclosure to the specific constitution of the above embodiment.

For example, if changing the viewpoint, the above embodiment can also beinterpreted as a method for controlling a ground power supplyingapparatus 2 having a power transmission side resonance circuit 43(resonance circuit) and transmitting power to a vehicle 3 by noncontactcomprises shifting a state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 toa standby state, which method of controlling a ground power supplyingapparatus 2 comprising shifting a state of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to a standby state where the supply of power to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 is stopped and where the powertransmission active state can be shifted to by supplying weak power tothe power transmission side resonance circuit 43 when a predeterminedsuspension condition is satisfied if the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is a main power transmission state where power issupplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 and poweris being transmitted to the vehicle 3 or a power transmission activestate where weak power is supplied to the power transmission sideresonance circuit 43 and power can be transmitted to the vehicle 3 andshifting the state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2 to thepower transmission active state when the suspension condition is nolonger satisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus 2is the standby state.

Further, the above embodiment can be interpreted as a program for makinga processor 223 of a ground power supplying apparatus 2 having a powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 (resonance circuit) andtransmitting power to a vehicle 3 by noncontact shift a state of theground power supplying apparatus 2 to a standby state where the supplyof power to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43 is stoppedand where the power transmission active state can be shifted to bysupplying weak power to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43when a predetermined suspension condition is satisfied if the state ofthe ground power supplying apparatus 2 is a main power transmissionstate where power is supplied to the power transmission side resonancecircuit 43 and power is being transmitted to the vehicle 3 or a powertransmission active state where weak power is supplied to the powertransmission side resonance circuit 43 and power can be transmitted tothe vehicle 3 and shift the state of the ground power supplyingapparatus 2 to the power transmission active state when the suspensioncondition is no longer satisfied if the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus 2 is the standby state and a nontransitory computerrecording medium including that program.

1. A ground power supplying apparatus configured to transmit power to avehicle by noncontact, the ground power supplying apparatus comprising:a power transmission apparatus having a resonance circuit and configuredto transmit power to the vehicle; and a control device provided with aprocessor configured to shift a state of the ground power supplyingapparatus to a standby state when a predetermined suspension conditionis satisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is amain power transmission state or a power transmission active state andto shift a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to the powertransmission active state when the suspension condition is no longersatisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is thestandby state, wherein the main power transmission state is a statewhere power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power is beingsupplied to the vehicle, the power transmission active state is a statewhere weak power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power can betransmitted to the vehicle, and the standby state is a state where thesupply of power to the resonance circuit is stopped and where the powertransmission active state can be shifted to by supplying weak power tothe resonance circuit.
 2. The ground power supplying apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the suspension condition is the condition that thetransmission of power from the ground power supplying apparatus to thevehicle has to be temporarily suspended.
 3. The ground power supplyingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position deviationdetection device configured to detect position deviation between thepower transmission apparatus and a power reception device mounted in thevehicle in a direction perpendicular to a direction of advance of thevehicle, wherein the suspension condition is that the position deviationis detected.
 4. The ground power supplying apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a communication device configured to communicatewith a server, wherein the suspension condition is that communicationbetween the server and the communication device is interrupted.
 5. Theground power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesuspension condition is that the temperature of the power transmissionapparatus is greater than or equal to a predetermined suspensionreference temperature.
 6. The ground power supplying apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the suspension condition is that the speed of thevehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined suspension referencetemperature.
 7. The ground power supplying apparatus according to claim1, wherein the suspension condition is that there be a foreign object orliving object present on a road at which the ground power supplyingapparatus is provided.
 8. The ground power supplying apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the suspension condition is that the power suppliedto the resonance circuit is greater than or equal to a predeterminedsuspension reference value.
 9. The ground power supplying apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a narrow range communicationdevice configured to directly communicate with the vehicle utilizingnarrow range wireless communication, wherein the control device isconfigured to shift the state of the ground power supplying apparatus toa second standby state when a predetermined end condition is satisfiedif the ground power supplying apparatus is the main power transmissionstate, the power transmission active state, or the standby state, andthe second standby state is the state where the supply of power to theresonance circuit is stopped and where the power transmission activestate can be shifted to when vehicle identification information of thevehicle is registered in a list of vehicle identification information ofvehicles which might be supplied with power at the ground powersupplying apparatus stored in the control device if vehicle informationis received from the vehicle by the narrow range communication device.10. The ground power supplying apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe end condition is the condition that transmission of power from theground power supplying apparatus to the vehicle has to be ended.
 11. Theground power supplying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the endcondition is that the vehicle be detected as passing over a road atwhich the ground power supplying apparatus is provided.
 12. The groundpower supplying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the endcondition is that before one vehicle passes over a road at which theground power supplying apparatus is provided, vehicle identificationinformation is received by the narrow range communication device fromanother vehicle.
 13. The ground power supplying apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the end condition is that the time in the powertransmission active state or the standby state is greater than or equalto a predetermined time.
 14. The ground power supplying apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the end condition is that a malfunction ofthe ground power supplying apparatus is detected.
 15. The ground powersupplying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the end condition isthat a coupling coefficient between the resonance circuit of the powertransmission apparatus and the resonance circuit of the power receptionapparatus mounted at the vehicle be greater than or equal to apredetermined end reference value.
 16. The ground power supplyingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the end condition is that a feecharged to a user of the vehicle calculated based on the powertransmitted from the ground power supplying apparatus to the vehicle begreater than or equal to a predetermined upper limit fee.
 17. The groundpower supplying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the endcondition is that transmission stop request signal be received by thenarrow range communication device from the vehicle.
 18. A method forcontrolling a ground power supplying apparatus having a resonancecircuit and transmitting power to a vehicle by noncontact, wherein themethod for controlling a ground power supplying apparatus comprising:shifting a state of the ground power supplying apparatus to a standbystate when a predetermined suspension condition is satisfied if thestate of the ground power supplying apparatus is a main powertransmission state or a power transmission active state; and shiftingthe state of the ground power supplying apparatus to a powertransmission active state when the suspension condition is no longersatisfied if the state of the ground power supplying apparatus is thestandby state, wherein the main power transmission state is a statewhere power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power is beingsupplied to the vehicle, the power transmission active state is a statewhere weak power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power can betransmitted to the vehicle, and the standby state is a state where thesupply of power to the resonance circuit is stopped and where weak poweris supplied to the resonance circuit so as to enable the powertransmission active state to be shifted to.
 19. A nontransitory computerrecording medium including a program for making a processor of a groundpower supplying apparatus having a resonance circuit and transmittingpower to a vehicle by noncontact shift a state of the ground powersupplying apparatus to a standby state where the supply of power to theresonance circuit is stopped and where the power transmission activestate can be shifted to by supplying weak power to the resonance circuitwhen a predetermined suspension condition is satisfied if the state ofthe ground power supplying apparatus is a main power transmission statewhere power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power is beingtransmitted to the vehicle or a power transmission active state whereweak power is supplied to the resonance circuit and power can betransmitted to the vehicle and shift the state of the ground powersupplying apparatus to the power transmission active state when thesuspension condition is no longer satisfied if the state of the groundpower supplying apparatus is the standby state.